Case studies have revealed that EMF is an environmental influence that can significantly worsen the severity of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) symptoms. Today’s children have been immersed in EMF emissions since their very conception and during all pregnancy, and they are currently one of the most exposed and vulnerable populations when it comes to EMFs.
Since concerns about EMF exposure started to be voiced, experts in different areas of science have been investigating the possible repercussions of electrosmog on constantly exposed fetuses and children. Some studies have concluded that, indeed, children are more vulnerable to radiation than adults because their developing bodies absorb more than fully grown bodies. This has led to thinking that this environmental exposure could have something to do not only with several health conditions in children but also with autism.
About the Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. The number of children diagnosed with ASD has risen consistently and dramatically since the 1990s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2018, approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States was diagnosed with autism.
Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. The cause of autism is still unknown, though research has pointed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The clearest evidence involves certain events and external influences occurring in utero or during birth, and these include prenatal exposure to environmental pollution.
What science has figured out so far
Since autism cases started skyrocketing in the ’90s, many studies have been performed internationally. We have compiled some of the conclusions that may explain a link between EMF exposure and autism:
- Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is a biologically active substance, so fetal or neo-natal exposures to RF radiation may be associated with an increased incidence of autism.
- EMF exposure disrupts the voltage-gated calcium channels, generating an increasing amount of calcium within the brain cells, which creates inflammation and ultimately cell death. This contributes to autism spectrum-related symptoms.
- Overexposure to EMFs could cause low total and reduced glutathione levels as well as a lower activity of the anti-oxidative stress system. A common attribute among individuals with autism is oxidative stress, which aligns with this well-established evidence.
- EMF causes DNA alterations indirectly and epigenetic modifications, these may have an important role in causing disruption of the nervous system leading to neurodegenerative disorders and even autism in children.
- EMF radiation could interfere with the initial calibration of brain networks and may play an important role in mirror neuron dysfunction, leading in turn to the pattern of deficits associated with autism.
- Perinatal exposure to ELF-EMF on some ASD-relevant behavioral parameters in mice showed a lack of normal sociability and decreased exploratory activity.
So, is it linked to EMF? It is not that simple
The real question needs to be, are EMFs increasing the severity of the ASD? We truly believe that the answer is YES. We asked Joaquín Machado, our co-founder and the inventor of SPIRO, if he directly knows about cases of ASD and EMF exposure.
“Back in the early days of the NOXTAK Project in Aruba, we had the case of a family with close proximity to a Cell phone tower and high-voltage lines. They had a 10-year-old girl with ASD and severe difficulties with social interaction, being in public spaces, and recreational activities. When we controlled the severe exposure to EMFs and protected her bedroom, her parents reported a continuous month-after-month reduction in severe symptoms and an improvement in social interaction after 6 months of permanently using the SPIRO® DISC ULTRA, following the same principles and approach we had used for extreme EHS cases. For me, as an EMF researcher, the relation is clear. EMF is an environmental toxin. If we treat the electromagnetically polluted environment, we can help these kids too.”
Up to now, even though there isn’t an official position in the scientific community yet, there are strong indications that point to a higher severity in the ASD condition of those exposed to EMF. We are in no way looking to determine the definitive cause of autism from the EMF perspective, what we know for a fact is that the severity of the ASD condition can be worsened by external factors or environmental stimuli, such as noise or luminosity; and EMF is another environmental factor to be considered.
We already know that electromagnetic fields from man-made sources have biological effects: it could cause DNA fragmentation, some individuals are more sensitive to it than others, cells are disrupted by radiation, and cellular stress responses can trigger several not easily noticeable health effects in a short term. Considering these facts, it isn’t senseless to think EMF exposure could affect children in this way, as they are more sensitive, absorb higher amounts of radiation because of their undeveloped tissues and bones, and, unlike older generations, have been exposed to EMFs since their conception.
According to our experience and case studies, we have learned that we can help people with ASD prevent a higher severity of their symptoms by treating EMFs in the environment.
