Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.Sc.
Date created
2018-08-01
Authors/Contributors
Author: Pagalan, Lief
Abstract
The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is poorly understood, but emerging evidence suggests that environmental factors may have a larger contributing role to the risk of ASD than previously thought. Recent studies suggest an association between air pollution and ASD. We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of nearly all births in Metro Vancouver, Canada, from 2004–2009 to evaluate prenatal exposures to PM2.5, NO, and NO2 as modifiable environmental risk factors for ASD. Children were diagnosed with ASD using a standardized assessment of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Using temporally adjusted land use regression models, we estimated monthly mean ambient air pollution exposures during pregnancy for each person at their home address. We observed positive associations between air pollutant exposures and increased risk of ASD, especially for males, in a population-based cohort living in an area with relatively low levels of air pollution.
Document
Identifier
etd19761
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Scholarly level
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Winters, Meghan
Thesis advisor: Lanphear, Bruce
Member of collection
Model
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etd19761.pdf | 7.65 MB |