A recent study from Rowan University and Rutgers University suggests a potential link between the common plastic additive bisphenol A (BPA) and the rising diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
BPA, widely used in plastics and found in food and drink cans, has been associated with hormone disruption and health issues like breast cancer and infertility.
The research focused on the detoxification process of BPA and another compound called Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) in children with ASD and ADHD compared to neurotypical children.
The study found a reduced efficiency in clearing out BPA in kids with ASD (11% reduction) and ADHD (17% reduction), potentially leading to prolonged exposure to their toxic effects.
While the study suggests compromised detoxification in some children, it emphasizes that not every child with neurodevelopmental disorders had difficulties flushing out BPA, indicating a multifaceted relationship between genetic and environmental factors.
The research sheds light on the complexity of conditions like ASD and ADHD, underlining the need for further investigation into how genetic mutations and environmental influences interact in the development of these disorders.
Read the full article here: https://www.sciencealert.com/common-plastic-additive-linked-to-autism-and-adhd-scientists-discover