Story perspectives

Air Pollution Explains 56% of U.S. State Autism Rates

7/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Stewart J. H. McCann of Cape Breton University found socioeconomic status and air-pollution particles are the only predictors of state autism-spectrum disorder rates.
The 2017 study of 50 states' ASD prevalence, after controlling for socioeconomic status, found air pollution the only predictor, explaining 55.7 percent of variance.
McCann warned the design cannot prove causation, may reflect diagnostic access in wealthier states, and noted ADHD rates followed the opposite pattern, underscoring specificity.

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Story summary

Stewart J. H. McCann of Cape Breton University found socioeconomic status and air-pollution particles are the only predictors of state autism-spectrum disorder rates.
The 2017 study of 50 states' ASD prevalence, after controlling for socioeconomic status, found air pollution the only predictor, explaining 55.7 percent of variance.
McCann warned the design cannot prove causation, may reflect diagnostic access in wealthier states, and noted ADHD rates followed the opposite pattern, underscoring specificity.