Recent studies indicate that there is a possible link between neurological disorders and neurotoxins in the environment. The objective of this project was to quantify normalized disorder prevalence in relation to the level of toxins present in the United States between the years of 1990 to 2007. The disorders investigated were autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. The neurotoxins studied were polyvinyl chloride, lead, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Analysis of the trends indicated that an increase in autism rates was associated with an increase in certain neurotoxins. Further research would be beneficial in elucidating the exact cause of the rising trends in these neurological disorders.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• DeVault, Victoria L.
• Bedrosian, Katie R.
• Charest, Jonathan Marc
• Smith, Emily E.

Subject

• Health
• Well-Being
• Environment

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042808-121944

Keyword

• People with disabilities
• Mental health
• Pollution

Advisor

• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-28

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright