Does High Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy Cause Autism

By: Manas Ganguly, Founder, Brightsandz Clean Tech

Radiation exposure and its impact during pregnancy is not a new topic in today’s world. It is one of the most common concerns that have been debated for years. The exposure to radiation at varying levels is the result of advanced electrical and domestic appliances at home or workplace which affects the health of women in pregnancy.

The exposure to non- ionizing radiation is known to induce some negative effects which are seen at the time of the child’s birth. Ionizing radiation includes electromagnetic radiation that is possibly considered as carcinogenic to human health. This has been declared by the World health organization (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Class 2B Carcinogen – placing it in the same category of carcinogens as Sulphur, DDT, Vehicle Exhaust, Lead amongst many others. Moreover, the effects of electromagnetic radiation are directly based upon the level of exposure from low to extremely high and the stage of the foetal development.

During pregnancy, the embryo and foetus are very sensitive to radiation. While in the pre-implantation period, high radiation exposure may cause the death of the embryo. Given the ubiquity of electrical, electronics and wireless devices at work and home environments, leads to long-term exposures to EMF radiation.

Several international researchers have also found that radiation exposure during pregnancy is one of the biggest causes of Autism in children. Estimates from the Centre of disease control (2002,2012) show that Autism cases have increased 3 times in a decadal time frame. India accounts for 40% of Autism cases in the world and is just behind Japan with 1.47% autism cases in children.The electromagnetic pollution at home from domestic appliances and at workplace from electronic gadgets is adverse for the foetus. It negatively impacts the growth and functioning of the baby’s brain by damaging its cells and thus, the baby becomes autistic in the womb itself.

According to a study conducted by Dietrich Klinghardt, Director of the Klinghardt Academy of Neurobiology in Seattle, the electromagnetic radiation in proximity to the sleeping area of pregnant women contributes as a factor in neurological impairments in babies, including autism. For instance, the negative effects of EMF radiation from your AC stabilizer placed in your bedroom – to which you have an 8 hour sleep time exposure on a daily basis.

The world of technology is evolving and the devices that emit radiation waves are found everywhere whether public places, home or at the workplace. The expecting moms who are working, get exposed to the harmful radiation at the workplace. Likewise, the expecting moms at home get exposed to radiation emitted from domestic appliances. Hence, in today’s age, it is next to impossible cutting off with such devices that make our everyday tasks easy.

In order to reduce the impact of radiation, it is recommended to cut short the time of exposure by limiting the use of radiation emitting devices.  Many doctors also advise the pregnant women to maintain a long distance between the electrical appliances including the Wi-Fi routers at home or at the workplace so that they are not in the direct exposure of radiation.

Moreover, there is a lot of new tech- companies that are coming up with radiation shielding products, such as Laptop EMF shield, Radiation shielding belly bands and Radiation shielded pregnancy comforters which limit the radiation exposure at home and work. In addition to limiting the use of cell phones, laptops and Wi-Fi routers, expecting moms can use these products in order to keep themselves as well as their baby safe from radiation.