Wildfires, air pollution, autism and the EPA response
Sun Jan 25 2026
Air pollution, specifically one part of air pollution called PM 2.5 (named for the size of the crud in the air pollution) has been linked to autism. It’s also been tied to cancer, heart disease, asthma, obesity, and premature births. Air pollution typically comes from industrial sources and car exhaust, but it can also be the result of smoke from wildfires. Four new studies this week link air pollution exposure during pregnancy to autism. The Environmental Protection Agency has responded by easing penalties on producers of this air pollution, making it much easier for everyone to be exposed to high levels of air pollution throughout their lives. This week’s podcast reviews the new evidence and examines new policies which will increase the burden of air pollution to families.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41547316
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443491
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41271133
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41557972
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Air pollution, specifically one part of air pollution called PM 2.5 (named for the size of the crud in the air pollution) has been linked to autism. It’s also been tied to cancer, heart disease, asthma, obesity, and premature births. Air pollution typically comes from industrial sources and car exhaust, but it can also be the result of smoke from wildfires. Four new studies this week link air pollution exposure during pregnancy to autism. The Environmental Protection Agency has responded by easing penalties on producers of this air pollution, making it much easier for everyone to be exposed to high levels of air pollution throughout their lives. This week’s podcast reviews the new evidence and examines new policies which will increase the burden of air pollution to families. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41547316 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443491 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41271133 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41557972