Predicting and Preventing Autism, ADHD, and Chemical Intolerance 11-14-2023 - Flipbook - Page 32
Present
Why Are Autism & ADHD Increasing?
1973
Could it be Fossil Fuels?
Arab Oil
Embargo
1950
1939-1945
Climate
Change
Decreased fresh
air, increased
indoor VOCs
1760-1840
World War II
Toxic mold
Algae
Industrial
Revolution
Fossil fuels (coal, oil,
natural gas, and their
combustion products)
Synthetic
chemical
derivatives
Our exposures to fossil fuels began less than 300 years ago during the Industrial Revolution when we began to
burn coal, oil, and natural gas to power engines and provide light and heat indoors. Since World War II, less than
100 years ago and within recent generations, the production and use of synthetic chemicals have increased
exponentially.
The combustion of fossil fuels has led to changes in weather and climate globally, resulting in more hurricanes,
tornadoes, and flooding of homes and buildings causing unparalleled mold growth indoors. Mold is now the
number one most frequently reported initiator of Chemical Intolerance.
The Arab Oil Embargo of 1973 led to increased efforts to reduce energy consumption so as to decrease our
dependence on foreign oil. One consequence has been more tightly sealed homes and buildings in order to
prevent energy/heat loss. The result has been indoor air contaminants accumulating to historically high levels.
Heating and cooling homes and buildings require a great deal of energy. To reduce fuel use, federal requirements
for fresh air in commercial buildings were drastically decreased and the use of insulation increased, resulting in
unprecedented levels of indoor air pollution. Unbelievably, there was, and continues to be, no requirement for
fresh air to dilute air contaminants inside our homes. The result has been increased levels of all indoor air
pollutants (xenobiotics) which can initiate TILT and trigger sensitized mast cells.
Growing numbers of people are concerned about our exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMF). There is
accumulating evidence that EMF has multiple adverse health effects. There is also evidence that individuals who
develop Chemical Intolerance/TILT may be prone to developing EMF sensitivity.
Oil spills and