July 19, 2006
Rise in Autism Blamed on Phone Batteries
Cellular News reports that Dr Richard Lathe, a specialist in childhood Autism, and former professor at Edinburgh University is claiming in a forthcoming paper that incorrect disposal of rechargeable batteries is one of the factors in an increase in autism in the UK.
Autistic children have been shown to have problems getting rid of toxic metals - and those metals are increasingly polluting the environment, says Dr Richard Lathe.
Dr Lathe is the author of a recent book, Autism, Brain, and Environment. While nothing in his book contradicts research implicating genetic vulnerability as an underlying cause of ASDs, Lathe instead uses evidence showing autism is more prevalent in urban than rural areas to bolster his contention that pollution is a likely culprit as well.
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