Moshood Olawale Fadeyi, Singapore Institute of Technology

The rise in exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution increases the risk of autism in children

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Indoor Air Cartoon Journal, September 2019, Volume 2, #78

The rise in the rate of autism in children is a global public health concern. Experts suggest the risk factors for autism occurrence in a child include deficient birth weight, older parent, autism in the child’s sibling, and genetic conditions like Down fragile X and Rett Syndromes. There is emerging evidence suggesting that air pollution exposure increase the risk of a child suffering from autism. Exposure of pregnant mother to air pollution may increase the risk of the unborn child. The effects of particles, organic and inorganic pollutants in causing unusual variation in genetic composition to inhibit neuropsychological development in children increase the risk.

A review by Suades-Gonzalez et al. (2015) suggests a strong link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PM2.5, and nitrogen oxides exposures and neuropsychological development in children. Traffic pollution, forest burning, and factories are some of the pollutants in the outdoor environment. Exposure to pollutants of outdoor origin occurs mostly in the indoor environment due to outdoor to indoor transport of the pollutants. The pollutants could also have indoor sources, e.g. indoor combustion activities. The link between air pollution and the prevalence of autism is still a subject of scientific investigations.

Effort should be made to reduce exposure, particular that of children and pregnant women, to the pollutants. Prevention is better than cure. Thus, priority should be given to reducing or eliminating the sources of the pollutants in the outdoor and indoor environment.  Policies or efforts attempting to reduce or eliminate the sources should seek to understand the root cause of the emergence of the sources.

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Do you want to know more about this topic? Read Suades-Gonzalez (2015) and Volk et al. (2013) papers.

Published by Moshood Olawale Fadeyi, Singapore Institute of Technology

Dr. Moshood Olawale Fadeyi, an esteemed academic figure and a professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology, is globally renowned as a trailblazer in knowledge exchange. With a distinguished career spanning academia and industry, Dr. Fadeyi's expertise transcends conventional boundaries. Dr. Fadeyi holds a multifaceted background encompassing architecture (BSc and M.Arch), building science (MSc), and engineering (PhD). His illustrious academic journey, boasting four university degrees, comes from prestigious institutions such as the National University of Singapore, the Technical University of Denmark, and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Dr. Fadeyi is a member of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (UK), Chartered Institute of Building (UK), and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers. Dr. Fadeyi's prolific research endeavours engage in a systematic process to provide answers to questions aimed at developing communication solutions for addressing practical education problems related to indoor air quality and health and value delivery in sustainable building engineering. His communication solutions have practical implications for enhancing industry practices and healthy living." Dr. Fadeyi's scholarly pursuits aim to advance knowledge and instigate critical and reflective thinking among his audience. This pedagogical philosophy permeates his teaching methodologies, research publications, and captivating presentations that elucidate the intricacies of problem-solving in sustainable building engineering. An innovator in artistic-educational research, Dr. Fadeyi employs communication solutions grounded in scientific research, case studies, applied research, and self-critical and reflective thinking. This visionary method effectively disseminates complex concepts, enriching the educational experience and fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable building practices and human development. Dr. Fadeyi is the Editor, Author, and Cartoonist of Indoor Air Cartoon Journal. This groundbreaking, globally accessible public educational resource, guided by his artistic-educational research, offers unparalleled insights into indoor air quality education. Dr. Fadeyi's exceptional leadership and expertise are highly sought after by prominent companies and governmental entities, a testament to his unparalleled influence in the field. Dr. Fadeyi is a former National Taekwondo Champion in Singapore, exemplifying his commitment to excellence in diverse spheres.

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