A pilot study from the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) Health Center adds to existing bodies of evidence that link exposure to toxicants such as pesticides, flame retardants and plastics with neurotoxicity and autism. Researchers found that the primary teeth of children with autism had elevated levels of toxicants compared to the primary teeth of children without autism.1 2
Prior studies have looked at chemicals in urine and blood samples, offering a snapshot of short-term exposure to toxicants. But UTSA researchers wanted to look deeper at cumulative toxin exposures. Because primary or baby teeth form over a span of over three years, including time in utero, teeth can tell a different story than urine and blood samples. Teeth begin forming in utero around the 14th week of pregnancy and are fully formed by age three. As the teeth develop, they can incorporate various chemicals from the mother’s and baby’s environment, creating a record of chemical exposure over a span of years.
Scientists examined shed primary teeth and found an average of 300 chemicals per participant in both autistic and typically developing children. Of 60 chemical compounds identified, 95 percent demonstrated higher concentrations in the autism group, with 19 of those concentrations being “significantly higher.”
Thirty-nine of the 60 compounds detected are also known developmental toxicants or endocrine-disrupting compounds including benzyl benzoate, a food and fragrance preservative, and organophosphate esters frequently found in flame retardants and products that may be applied on the skin. The researchers noted that five of the top nine compounds that were found elevated in children with autism migrate from baby bottles, diapers, and food packaging.1
Researchers noted that “many of these toxicants target the brain, liver, and mitochondria.”1
Study Highlights Importance of Recognizing Environmental Triggers in Autism
Autism was once a rare condition, but prevalence has risen over 300 percent in the past two decades. While autism has both genetic and environmental determinants, the drastic increase in autism rates highlights the importance of looking at environmental triggers alongside genetic susceptibility.
Multiple classes of chemicals have been implicated in autism including medications; vaccines with heavy metals such as aluminum and mercury; arsenic, lead and pesticides, plasticizers, as well as compounds that make materials more pliable such as phthalates, PVC, and phosphates.1
The UTSA researchers referenced a 2011 study that reported substantially lower genetic estimates involved in autism and found that shared environmental factors contributed nearly as much variance as genetic factors. “This study is widely recognized for demonstrating that environmental influences are more substantial than previously assumed,” researchers noted.1
Safety Research Can’t Keep Up With Rate of Chemical Development and Use
Chemicals are being developed faster than the scientific research needed to evaluate them, noted Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, PhD, a social and occupational epidemiologist at UTSA. “There are hundreds of millions of compounds being produced and released into commercial use,” he said. “Industry is moving much faster in producing chemicals for different uses than we can study them.”1
A major concern for exposure to toxicants for babies and young children is the timing of exposure with crucial brain development. Toxicants or endocrine disruptors can affect biological processes involved in development, including affecting the mitochondria and cellular function.
“There are several critical windows of exposure during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, but it doesn’t stop there,” lead researcher Lynne Heilbrun, MPH said. “The central nervous system continues to develop after birth until around age 25.”1
Many experts and medical organizations maintain that while the autism rates have increased from one in 150 children in the year 2000, to one in 31 children in 2022, the main contributing factor to the autism epidemic is due to changes in screening and diagnostic criteria.3
CDC to Award Contract to Investigate Link Between Autism and Vaccination
Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a contract awarded to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to investigate links between autism prevalence and contents of vaccines.4
Juergen Hahn, PhD, would be the principal investigator if the company accepts the contract, a spokesperson said. Dr. Hahn is an RPI professor of biomedical engineering who has done extensive research surrounding autism. His work includes an experimental blood test that he says can detect autism in 96 percent of children. He also authored a 2017 paper that found statistical associations between heavy metals and autism.4
In December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed its stance that vaccines do not cause autism and that the “most robust scientific evidence consistently rejects a causal link between vaccines and ASD.” The WHO does recognize the role of genetics, environmental toxins, and heavy metals in the role of autism.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also denies a role of vaccines in autism, but states that severe maternal immune responses, certain medications, and environmental factors influence a child’s risk of developing autism.5
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Click here to view References:1 Heilbrun L et al. A pilot autism case- control study of pesticides and plasticizers in shed baby teeth. Neurotoxicology & Teratology Sept. 2026.
2 Lee S. UT San Antonio Health Science Center study finds elevated levels of toxicants in teeth of children with autism. UT Health San Antonio Newsroom Oct. 5, 2026.
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2 Responses
The researchers noted that five of the top nine compounds that were found elevated in children with autism migrate from baby bottles, diapers, and food packaging / Finally some competent researchers in the mix. This is an inspired approach, look at the shed baby teeth. Of course. Maybe if the pharmasuetical industrial complex had not wasted two centuries and a hundred billion trillion dollars on failed vaccination campaign, someone could have paid attention to this vital issue sooner. Great job to UTSA researchers. Two thumbs up.
We’ve been warning people; Packaging and production matters. Get plastic out of your life. Avoid forever chemicals, pesticides, all of it. Although there is a price difference on the shelf, what’s the real value of paying more to avoid all these toxins? We can not say with a numerical expression, except to assure that unequivocally without a doubt, worth every last penny and then some to reach for the products without the chemicals, not in plastic is preferable always as well.
Special parental guideline here; You’ve got to be willing to taste test and sample your babies foods. Before you give it to the baby. It’s cruel and unusual punishment not to. We read the labels on baby formula one time and switched to an organic from the very first week of life and never turned back. Cost us 5x as much but we paid anyways, even when we had nothing to spend. Flouridated water? Evil. They target the babies. Get a blender and start feeding the baby basically the same things you eat as early as possible. Skip all the risks and food quality concerns of the cottage ‘baby food’ industry. That baby is a human being. It can handle similar food as adult human beings, just far less quantities of it. And sometimes they need blending. Get ready for a lot of fruit smoothies baby, because that’s what we’re having too. We tried, and got off ‘baby food’ within a few few short months. Get a quality blender instead.
Wash everything. There is fire retardant chemicals in everything, especially baby clothes. If it says fire proof, do not buy, mandatory washing. Pillows, blankets, steam clean your new couch (leather has less FSC’s in there). We even carpet shampoo a new mattress because the FSC’s are in there too. Rugs. Carpets. Clothes. Everything needs the FSC’s washed off.
One of the contributing factors is the manufacturers requirements to produce ‘fire retardant products’, which was a result of all the house fires people would cause as they fell asleep smoking cigarettes in bed in the 1950’s. The primary cause of the fire is mitigated, most people don’t smoke inside anymore. A new harm, an unintended consequence is now present; Everything is covered in fire safety chemicals by requirement of law. (laws which needs changed asap) That’s just one part of the puzzle, important to pay attention to immediately none the less. If you’ve never washed it off from whatever you’re using in every day life, you are still getting the FSC exposure. New cars, new clothes, your bags, curtains, stuffed animal toys, anything fabric. Literally everywhere. Wash everything at least once before it’s put in service within your own home. Especially carpets. Brand new carpets need steam cleaning from the big rig truck that can push gallons of water in and out of the material on the first day, it’s an additional expense which may just tip the affordability scales towards wood. We never knew this ended up in our teeth. Shocking. Can these guys run the NIH, FDA, and CDC instead of whomever is there now?
How does anyone explain all the vaccine safety sheets, under “Adverse Reaction”, stating that Autism is a possible side effect, as well as encephalophthy?