Autism genes are selectively targeted by environmental pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, phthalates and many others in food, cosmetics or household products

The increasing incidence of autism suggests a major environmental influence. Epidemiology has implicated many candidates and genetics many susceptibility genes. Gene/environment interactions in autism were analysed using 206 autism susceptibility genes (ASG's) from the Autworks database to interrogate ∼1 million chemical/gene interactions in the comparative toxicogenomics database. Any bias towards ASG's was statistically determined for each chemical. Many suspect compounds identified in epidemiology, including tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, pesticides, particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene, heavy metals, valproate, acetaminophen, SSRI's, cocaine, bisphenol A, phthalates, polyhalogenated biphenyls, flame retardants, diesel constituents, terbutaline and oxytocin, inter alia showed a significant degree of bias towards ASG's, as did relevant endogenous agents (retinoids, sex steroids, thyroxine, melatonin, folate, dopamine, serotonin). Numerous other suspected endocrine disruptors (over 100) selectively targeted ASG's including paraquat, atrazine and other pesticides not yet studied in autism and many compounds used in food, cosmetics or household products, including tretinoin, soy phytoestrogens, aspartame, titanium dioxide and sodium fluoride. Autism polymorphisms influence the sensitivity to some of these chemicals and these same genes play an important role in barrier function and control of respiratory cilia sweeping particulate matter from the airways. Pesticides, heavy metals and pollutants also disrupt barrier and/or ciliary function, which is regulated by sex steroids and by bitter/sweet taste receptors. Further epidemiological studies and neurodevelopmental and behavioural research is warranted to determine the relevance of a large number of suspect candidates whose addition to the environment, household, food and cosmetics might be fuelling the autism epidemic in a gene-dependent manner.

Pollutants in fish inhibit human's natural defense system

 "In a new study, environmental pollutants found in fish were shown to obstruct the human body's natural defense system to expel harmful toxins. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego-led research team suggests that this information should be used to better assess the human health risks from eating contaminated seafood. The study was published in the April 15 issue of the journal Science Advances."



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Fracking may affect air quality and human health - Medical News Today

The researchers found that hydraulic fracturing - a technique for
releasing natural gas from below-ground rock formations - emits
pollutants known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), including
some that are linked with increased risk of cancer and respiratory ailments.

Persistent Organic Pollutants Modify Gut Microbiota–Host Metabolic Homeostasis in Mice Through Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation

• 
  Background: Alteration of the gut microbiota through
  diet and environmental contaminants may disturb physiological
  homeostasis, leading to various diseases including obesity and type 2
  diabetes. Since most exposure to environmentally-persistent organic
  pollutants (POPs) occurs through the diet, the host gastrointestinal
  tract and commensal gut microbiota are likely to be exposed to POPs.
  Objectives: We report that
  2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), a persistent environmental
  contaminant, profoundly impacts the gut microbiota and host metabolism
  in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-dependent manner.
  
  
  Methods: Six-week-old male wild-type and Ahr^-/- mice on the C57BL/6J background were treated with 24 µg/kg TCDF in the diet for five days. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, ¹H
  nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics, targeted
  ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triplequadrupole
  mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQMS) and biochemical assays were used to
  determine the microbiota compositions and the physiological and
  metabolic effects of TCDF.
  
  
  Results: Dietary TCDF altered the gut microbiota by
  shifting the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. TCDF-treated mouse
  cecal contents were enriched with Butyrivibrio spp., but depleted in
  Oscillobacter spp. in comparison with vehicle-treated mice. These
  changes in the gut microbiota were associated with altered bile acid
  metabolism. Further, dietary TCDF inhibited the farnesoid X receptor
  (FXR) signaling pathway, and triggered significant inflammation and host
  metabolic disorders as a result of activation of bacterial
  fermentation, and altering hepatic lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis and
  glycogenolysis, in an AHR-dependent manner.
  
  
  Conclusion: These findings provide new insights into
  the biochemical consequences of TCDF exposure involving the alteration
  of the gut microbiota, modulation of nuclear receptor signaling, and
  disruption of host metabolism.
  

A study relates the level of pollutants accumulated in the body with obesity levels

"This research has analysed the levels of pollutants accumulated in adipose tissue (fat) in nearly 300 men and women, who were attended in the surgery services of two hospitals in the province of Granada (Spain).
The substances, known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), can remain in the environment for years, even decades, without degrading.
"Humans are exposed to POPs mainly through diet. POPs accumulate gradually in body fat, and this is the reason why the median levels in our study give us an idea of an individual's accumulated exposition over a number of years," says Juan Pedro Arrebola, the main author of the article.
Using complex statistical methods, these scientists confirmed that the accumulated levels of several POPs were related to obesity and to serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in individuals, irrespective of the gender, age, place of residence or smoking habits of participants in the survey."

Hand blenders used for cooking can emit persistent chemicals -- ScienceDaily

Eight out of twelve tested models of hand blenders are leaking chlorinated paraffins
when used according to the suppliers' instructions. This is revealed in a
report from Stockholm University where researchers analyzed a selection
of hand blenders which are available on the Swedish market. Chlorinated
paraffins are included in the subject group of persistent organic
pollutants which humans and animals should be protected from.

The tested hand blenders were bought in stores in Sweden and analyzed
in order to determine if they leak chlorinated paraffins to food under
normal use.

"The results showed that eight of the twelve tested hand blenders
emit chlorinated paraffins during normal household use. In five of them,
the levels are high in our opinion," says Åke Bergman, Professor at the
Department of Materials and Environment Chemistry, Stockholm
University, and Head of Swetox. We have reported the discovery to the
Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish National Food Administration
and informed the suppliers of the tested hand blenders.