“Research indicates a potential link between higher rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children of farmers or those living near agricultural areas, primarily due to exposure to agricultural pesticides:
- **Pesticide Exposure and Autism Risk**: Studies show that early exposure to agricultural pesticides, particularly during pregnancy, is associated with an increased risk of ASD. For example, pregnant women living near pesticide-treated fields were found to have a two-thirds higher risk of having a child with autism[1][2][5].
- **Geographic and Environmental Factors**: Children in regions with intensive pesticide use have shown higher prevalence rates of ASD compared to low-use areas. A study in Spain reported an odds ratio (OR) of 1.34 for ASD in high pesticide exposure areas, with males being particularly affected (OR: 2.41)[3].
- **Critical Exposure Periods**: The risk is especially pronounced when exposure occurs during critical periods of neurodevelopment, such as the second and third trimesters of pregnancy[2][3].
While these findings suggest a strong association, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and confirm causality.
