A new study has found that elevated pesticide levels in pregnant women are associated with an increased risk of autism among their children. The study conducted at the American Psychiatric Association examined whether elevated maternal levels of persistent organic pollutants are associated with autism among children. Persistent organic pollutants are toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment around the world. The study examined levels of DDE (pp'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene) a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Although DDT and other persistent organic pollutants were widely banned in many countries decades ago they persist in the food chain
