The Role of Dampness and Mold in The Onset of Autism
Researchers agree that there is an environmental cause for the sudden rise in autism, but this environmental factor has remained elusive.
1 in 3 children live in dampness and mold (2 in 3 in some low-income communities), and with every single breath these children are inhaling a very dangerous soup of biological toxins (mycotoxins, LPS/bacterial endotoxins, microbial particulates and volatile compounds, etc.), which are capable of causing tremendous physiological damage at very low levels. These toxins profoundly disrupt the gastrointestinal tract and microbiome (mycotoxins are antimicrobial - Penicillin = Penicillium), the systemic and CNS immune response, the mitochondria, pathways of detoxification, endocrine systems, and more.
These toxins are detoxified from the body by a healthy microbiome and gut. Since pesticides, processed foods, plastics, air pollution, COVID, etc. all disrupt the gut and microbiome - these dietary and environmental factors have made this generation of children more vulnerable to these biological toxins than any generation before - hence the sudden rise in dampness-related illness.
Despite the prevalence and toxicity, we regularly overlook this exposure due to inadequate diagnostic and environmental assessments. Most providers lack the awareness or education to effectively identify this exposure.
This presentation makes the case that upwards of 50% of all autism can be due to dampness and mold.
For instance, if a mother has allergies or eczema, her child’s risk of autism goes up 2x. If a baby develops asthma s/s early in life, their risk of autism goes up 2x. These are just 2 of the 22 clinical findings that can be explained by dampness and mold, as described in detail in this presentation.
Another startling fact. Flooding causes a 50% likelihood of dampness and mold. After the hurricanes, the rates of ASD tripled in Louisiana.
This presentation covers these points, the deficits in existing environmental and diagnostic testing, and describes how dampness and mold induce a complex pattern of pathophysiology that can explain the onset of autism. The presentation, (mark 1hr: min 09) also presents a hypothesis as to why these children may be so susceptible to injectable biological stressors…
A dear boy with autism (non-verbal) used his communication device to tell his mom, “I am shattered.” Sadly, there are millions of children whose lives are getting shattered because they are toxic and inflamed, as a result of living in damp environments. Because of poor policymaking, and lack of education and understanding, we are missing one of the most important contributors as to why so many of these children are struggling.
Here is the most important part.
THIS IS ALL PREVENTABLE!
IT IS TREATABLE!
I have witnessed firsthand the healing and transformation of countless children simply by them just moving out of a damp home and finally being able to breathe clean air that no longer makes them toxic and sick.
I have seen children who could not sleep, were constantly stimming, head banging/injuring themselves, acting aggressively, acting completely overwhelmed in loud/crowded environments - become dramatically more calm, happy, and relaxed - SIMPLY by being able to breathe clean air.
I have seen children start connecting and making eye contact for the first time - SIMPLY by being able to breathe clean air.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO MAKE IT A NATIONAL HEALTH PRIORITY TO ALLOW EVERY CHILD (and adult) THE ABILITY TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR WITHIN THEIR HOMES THAT DOES NOT MAKE THEM SICK.
We spend $500B/year on the direct costs of ASD. The total/indirect costs of ASD just in the US are projected to be $15T, by 2029.
For $5,000 - we can assess a home, provide detailed cleaning guidance, and effective filtration.
For $10-100,000, we can fully remediate a home to remove the source of contamination.
WITH 2% OF THE DIRECT ASD COSTS, WE CAN HELP EVERY CHILD WITH ASD BREATHE PROPERLY FILTERED AIR. WITH 20%, WE CAN REMEDIATE 2M HOMES AND REMOVE THE TOXINS THAT CAN MAKE THESE CHILDREN SICK.
How many cases of autism can we prevent by eliminating the exposure to these dangerous toxins?
How many children can we help have a bright and healthy future by understanding this toxicity and treating it?
Outside of these important social/human benefits, how much money can we save as a society by addressing the true root cause of all this illness and suffering?
This of course extends well beyond ASD and can impact many other children and adults who are impacted by various diseases resulting in untold disability, suffering, and cost.
POLICY MAKERS: Making sure all Americans are able to breathe clean air inside their homes, schools, and places of work needs to become a priority. The disability, toxicity, and illness that result from this contaminated air is likely more significant than even 1st or 2nd hand cigarette smoke. We need to dramatically ramp up research to better understand these links.
IOM offers recommendations: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215643/
Change the Air Foundation policy brief: https://changetheairfoundation.org/policy-brief/
PARENTS: Two easy action steps you can take (no financial affiliation):
1) Talk to your doctor about testing your child to see if they have been exposed by testing antibodies (these tests still miss exposure 10-20% of the time):
https://mymycolab.com/
https://www.rupahealth.com/lab-tests/alletess-basic-mold-immunoreactivity-panel
Additional information about testing can be found here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-157429078
2) Check your home for contamination by doing this test: https://www.thedusttest.com/
Two things to keep in mind:
1) As discussed, conventional mold tests regularly miss mold, so just because you were told “you don’t have mold,” that does not rule out the possibility of exposure.
2) Your child may show signs of exposure, but your current home comes back clean. Severe past exposure can cause some children to stay sick for years, or even decades later. Exposure can also happen at schools (daycares), etc.
Additional treatment information can be found here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-157429078
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP MILLIONS OF KIDS GET BRIGHT, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS FUTURES THEY DESERVE. THIS STARTS WITH YOU SHARING THIS POST WITH OTHERS.
Here is the full presentation for download, including references to studies references in the initial slides.
Sincerely,
Pejman Katiraei, DO