October 23, 2025

expert reaction to study on the association between prenatal exposure to air pollution and autism risk in childhood

A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at the association between prenatal air pollution exposure and the risk of autism during childhood. 

Dr Chloe Brimicombe, Climate scientist and public engagement manager, Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), said:

“This study is showing correlation between air pollution exposure and potential cognitive development towards neurodivergence and autism.

“This study is not confirming air pollution exposure causes autism in children. This is because we do not know the biological pathways where air pollution could change neuro-development in this way. We do know that negative impacts on cognitive function are associated with air pollution exposure but most of this research is for an older age category.

“The study highlights important next steps around introducing socioeconomic variables alongside air pollution to suggest why an individual might be neurodiverse Vs neurotypical, another approach is called life course analysis where we model air pollution over different phases of life.”

Dr Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology, Bournemouth University, said:

“This paper shows a correlation between prenatal exposure to sulfate and ammonium components and childhood autism diagnoses. There is absolutely no evidence within the paper to suggest that the former caused the latter. It could potentially cause great worry to the general population if they thought this paper demonstrated a causal effect, having already been exposed to inaccurate claims around Tylenol and vaccines as causes of autism. Reports like this contribute to the very harmful myth that autism is increasing in prevalence: robust evidence from many studies indicates that this is not the case, but rather more autistic people, especially women and adults, are being recognised and diagnosed (which is an excellent thing, both on a personal level but also on a socioeconomic one, since late diagnosis is associated with poorer health and suicidality). The wording and framing of the article, talking about ‘autism risk’, also contributes to harmful narratives in which autism is presented such as a disease, something negative to be eradicated or avoided; we know that these kind of messages are felt as deeply detrimental by autistic people and their families, who feel they’re living in a world where they’re unwanted and unacceptable. It is deeply disappointing that authors continue to contribute to these harmful narratives rather than following responsible guidelines in the way they speak about autism – thus harming the community they’re studying.”

‘Prenatal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter Components and Autism Risk in Childhood’ by Éric Lavigne et al. was published in JAMA Network Open at 16:00 UK time Thursday 23 October 2025. 

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.38882

Declared interests

Dr Rachel Moseley: No COIs

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.