Autism Link (also accidentally posted on 1st tri board)

kerrymass · June 2011

Hi!I'm not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but I thought it was worth sharing. https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/07/scientists-warn-of-chemical-autism-link/?hpt=he_c2BPAs already scared me a bit... because I use the microwave a lot.What do you ladies think about this? Anyone changing their behavior w/ regards to BPAs and/or antimicrobial soaps now that you're pregnant?

domesticatedhuman · June 2011

I stay away from antibacterial stuff anyways, it just creeps me out that it's so full of chemicals. I do heat leftovers up occasionally in plastic sometimes, but I also have glass "tupperware".

I personally am becoming convinced that autism is being a bit over diagnosed these days. Kinda like ADHD. Not to say the severe cases should be ignored, but a lot of the times the diagnosis for things like this are pretty liberal and in my mind can do more harm then good. Hopefully all our little beans will be happy and healthy and we don't have to deal with these issues as they grow up!

tosh24 · June 2011

I can't speak for the environmental chemicals/autism link since I haven't read any research on it to support an educated opinion.....But, I did have to take various biochemistry and toxicology courses for my bio degree, and I can tell you that I try to stay away from environmental chemicals as much as possible - at least exposure to ones that I can control (off-gassing of manufactured products, no VOC paints, little plastic use, etc.).

I try to stay away from plastics, especially in the microwave or with anything acidic. Things like pop causes the chemicals to leach out of plastics faster than pH neutral items like water. And it's not just BPA you should be concerned about - the government and other regulatory agencies are slow on the draw when it comes to research, "safe" additives, and allowable limits. It's a balance between human risk and economics for them. There are plenty of other chemicals in plastics that should be avoided. For instance, phthalates are a group of them. They are especially harmful to male reproductive development as they act as anti-androgens. This is important for pregnant women, as research as shown that high exposure during the 1st trimester of pregnancy when reproductive organs are forming in young males can be detrimental to their anatomical development and their future fertility (undecended testes, urethra forming on the penile shaft instead of the head, low sperm count and sterility, etc.).

My general rule of thumb is that if something is not safe for a pregnant woman to be using or eating, whether that be at all or in moderation, than why the hell am I using or eating that item when I'm not pregnant?

hanna mae · June 2011

I'm beginning to believe that Autism is like cancer - it doesn't matter what you do, or don't do, the chances of having it are increasing more and more each year.

I'm not fond of hand sanitizers and a lot of the other antibacterial stuff. They make the kids use it at school rather than washing their hands and then have them eat. I've told the teachers that I do not want my kids to use it and would rather that they washed their hands. Yesterday, this woman at the store would apply it before and after each item/customer she had to deal with. She's just going to make herself sick(er).

DiademChi · June 2011

Before getting pregnant, I was already avoiding microwaving food in plastics, having water in plastic bottles, and also avoiding anti-blah soap (it doesn't actual help, only creates more super germs).

So my behavior hasn't changed in that respect.

COmommy · June 2011

domesticatedhuman:
I personally am becoming convinced that autism is being a bit over diagnosed these days. Kinda like ADHD. Not to say the severe cases should be ignored, but a lot of the times the diagnosis for things like this are pretty liberal and in my mind can do more harm then good. Hopefully all our little beans will be happy and healthy and we don't have to deal with these issues as they grow up!

I agree with this. I also think that since the most recent "cause" of autism (vaccines) has been debunked, they are now digging for a new "cause." I'm not convinced.

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Autism Link (also accidentally posted on 1st tri board)

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