PCBs That Were Banned and Disposed For Over 50 Years Produce Aftershock and Become A Possible Cause of Autism

Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs and other chemicals like insecticides are being studied more deeply by researchers to know how exactly the compounds work in the brain of a fetus who later become autistic. It is apparent that the links between autism and banned chemicals are still not very clear at hand.

PCBs were used in the U.S. for almost a century but banned in 1979. Nonetheless, some industries still use them like the refrigeration industry. They are also being used outside the U.S., but the products using such chemicals are being imported to the different states. A recent study suggests the possible link between autism and maternal levels of some persistent pollutants from PCBs.

Researchers of the said study say that when even a little amount of PCBs' compound enters a human body, it goes with the blood and therefore interferes with some brain processes. "The higher up the "food chain" an organism sits, the higher the concentrations of these things it will probably have," according to these experts. PCBs are also said to take anywhere from months to years and years before it finally break down.

Although PCBs were banned decades ago, pregnant women are still in danger of getting infected by the remains. The General Electric company, which used PCBs for their refrigeration products, disposed all their PCBs in Hudson river for over three decades- from 1946 to1977, as Clear Water Organization recorded. Scientists still do not have a clear lead as per how much PCB remains are still around and what is the degree of the harm these could give. They are still aggressive though with looking keenly upon the possible answers to their lingering questions.

For pregnant women, it is important to protect the child inside them from possible chemicals that are said to be causing the Autism Spectrum Disorder. PCBs are said to be anywhere, but on top of these, there are other chemicals that need to be avoided like plastics, tobacco smoke, and scented products. The simple scented candle can lead a pregnant woman to give birth to an autistic child.