Environmental mercury release, special education rates, and autism disorder: an ecological study of Texas.
The association between environmentally released mercury, special education and autism rates in Texas was investigated using data from the Texas Education Department and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A Poisson regression analysis adjusted for school district population size, economic and demographic factors was used. There was a significant increase in the rates of special education students and autism rates associated with increases in environmentally released mercury. On average, for each 1,000 lb of environmentally released mercury, there was a 43% increase in the rate of special education services and a 61% increase in the rate of autism. The association between environmentally released mercury and special education rates were fully mediated by increased autism rates. This ecological study suggests the need for further research regarding the association between environmentally released mercury and developmental disorders such as autism. These results have implications for policy planning and cost analysis.
Palmer
Raymond F
RF
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio Department of Family and Community Medicine, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA. palmer@uthscsa.edu
Blanchard
Steven
S
Stein
Zachary
Z
Mandell
David
D
Miller
Claudia
C
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004463:Ecology; D004519:Education, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005843:Geography; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D020262:Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System / Q000150:complications; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012574:Schools; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency
D006256:Hazardous Waste; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds