Autism Linked to Household Vinyl Flooring

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 31, 2009 3:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Vinyl flooring has been linked to the development of autism in children, Scientific American reports. A joint US/Swedish study looking into the effects of household contaminants stumbled upon the result, which the researchers and others stressed was preliminary. It “turned up virtually by accident,” said one scientist. He called the result “intriguing and baffling at the same time.”

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Parents and their 15-month-old son play at home. (AP Photo)

An 8-year-old diagnosed with autism. (AP Photo)

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Because they are among the few clues that have emerged about possible environmental contributions to autistic disorders, we believe that they should be weighed carefully and warrant further study. - Study results

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