Suspect Screening of Urinary Neurotoxicants in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

作者：Guixian Song, Qianlong Zhang, Lingli Zhang, Junjie Ao, J Zhang, Feng Li, Da Chen · 发表于：Environmental Science & Technology · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1021/acs.est.6c03172 · 研究领域：Autism Spectrum Disorder Research、Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals、Folate and B Vitamins Research

Environmental exposure to toxic chemicals has long been suspected an important factor contributing to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Our study developed a suspect screening strategy to broaden the understanding of neurotoxicant exposure in children with ASD ( n = 307) and healthy controls ( n = 461) and the association between ASD and mixed chemical exposure. Suspect screening of urine samples from the study population identified a total of 94 neurotoxicants designated as confidence level 1, with additional 16 and 34 compounds designated as confidence level 2 and 3, respectively. Among identified level 1 compounds, 48 had a detection frequency >70% in the study population, covering plasticizers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, insecticides, flame retardants, ultraviolet filters, antimicrobial agents and synthetic antioxidants. The results reveal a complexity of exposure spectrum in ASD children. Conditional logistic regression analyses with level 1 compounds revealed significant associations between ASD and increasing urinary levels of 28 neurotoxicants. Mixed exposure analysis revealed a strong association between combined neurotoxicant exposure and the ASD diagnosis. Among the diversity of neurotoxicants, 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG), diphenyl phosphate (DPP) and mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (mECPP) were identified as the key substances contributing to the exposure-ASD associations. Collectively, our work reported a complex neurotoxicant exposure s...