A study released by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio shows a significant increase in autism rates associated with increases in environmentally released mercury.

According to the study, on average, for each 1000 pounds of environmentally released mercury there was a 17% increase in the rate of autism.

Although researchers are quick to point out that the study does not prove causation of autism by mercury, they suggest 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.

This research is among the first to examine the relationship between potentially chronic, low-dose mercury exposure and a developmental disorder such as autism.

The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Health & Place.

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