Wildfires, air pollution, autism and the EPA response

Air pollution, specifically one part of air pollution called PM 2.5 (named for the size of the crud in the air pollution) has been linked to autism. It’s also been tied to cancer, heart disease, asthma, obesity, and premature births. Air pollution typically comes from industrial sources and car exhaust, but it can also be the result of smoke from wildfires. Four new studies this week link air pollution exposure during pregnancy to autism. The Environmental Protection Agency has responded by easing penalties on producers of this air pollution, making it much easier for everyone to be exposed to high levels of air pollution throughout their lives. This week’s podcast reviews the new evidence and examines new policies which will increase the burden of air pollution to families.

You can listen to Wildfires, air pollution, autism and the EPA response online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Wildfires, air pollution, autism and the EPA response is an episode from Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report by Autism Science Foundation .

This episode is 13:29 long.

This episode was published on Jan 25, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.