Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Scientists say a potentially disturbing link between common household chemicals and autism spectrum disorder has been discovered in a recent research.
The researchers found that chemicals in common household products like disinfectants, furniture, and glues could damage developing brain cells.
The study, conducted by researchers at Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States, and published in commemoration of World Autism Day 2024, sheds light on the potential risks posed by everyday household chemicals to brain health.
According to the researchers, substances present in items ranging from furniture to hair products may be associated with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorders.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the 2024 World Autism Day is celebrated on April 2, with the theme, ‘Moving from surviving to thriving.’
The World Health Organisation described autism as a diverse group of conditions characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
The global health organisation added that other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, lack of focus on details, and unusual reactions to sensations.
While stressing that about one in 100 children has autism, WHO explained that people with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as challenging behaviours such as difficulty sleeping and self-injury.
The new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, found that while genetics play a role, environmental factors likely also contribute significantly to neurological diseases affecting millions worldwide.
The researchers pointed out that more people are getting exposed to Quaternary ammonium compounds, also called quats or QACs, which are a group of chemicals used for a variety of purposes including as preservatives, surfactants, antistatic agents, and as active ingredients in disinfectants and sanitisers because they have been using more disinfectants since the COVID-19 pandemic.
They noticed that the rise in disinfectant use is happening at the same rate as the increase in disorders like autism, autoimmune diseases, and asthma.
In carrying out the research in the lab, the researchers used cell and organoid systems to prove that quaternary ammonium compounds make oligodendrocytes die, and organophosphate flame retardants stop them from growing up.
They showed how these chemicals harm oligodendrocytes in the brains of growing mice.
The researchers also found a connection between exposure to one of these chemicals and bad brain outcomes in kids.
A director at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and one of the authors of the study, Paul Tesar, stated that the research will help people to make smart choices about rules or actions to lessen chemical exposure and keep healthy.
“Our findings suggest that more comprehensive scrutiny of the impacts of these common household chemicals on brain health is necessary,” Tesar added.
He stated that the results indicate that they need to take a closer look at how these everyday household chemicals affect brain health.
“We hope our work will contribute to informed decisions regarding regulatory measures or behavioural interventions to minimize chemical exposure and protect human health,” he said.
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