Cyprus Times

Environmental Factor Linked to Autism

Published January 24, 2026, 20:02
Environmental Factor Linked to Autism

A new scientific study examines the role of environmental exposure to wildfire smoke during the third trimester of pregnancy. The research suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke during the last months of pregnancy may increase the risk of a child being diagnosed with autism later in life. The Tulane University study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, analyzed more than 200,000 births in Southern California between 2006 and 2014. Researchers found that children whose mothers were exposed to wildfire smoke during the third trimester of pregnancy had an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with autism by age 5. The strongest association was observed in cases where pregnant women were exposed to smoke for more than 10 days during the last three months of pregnancy. In this group, the risk of autism diagnosis in children was increased by 23% compared to children whose mothers had no exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy. The study's findings and the broader context highlight the importance of understanding the impact of climate change and air pollution on neurological development.