This study doesn't mention ASD, but it does mention  a slight increase in Down Syndrome (which is a chromosomal disorder). It would be interesting to compare the incidence of autism in areas with different levels of chemical contaminants.

Chlorine in tap water 'nearly doubles the risk of birth defects'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl...fects.html

By JO MACFARLANE
Last updated at 11:47 PM on 31st May 2008

Pregnant women living in areas where tap water is heavily disinfected with chlorine nearly double their risk of having children with heart problems, a cleft palate or major brain defects, a new study has found.
Scientists say expectant mothers can expose themselves to the higher risk by drinking the water, taking a bath or shower, or even by standing close to a boiling kettle.
The danger comes from chemical by-products in chlorinated water known as trihalomethanes, or THMs, which can be absorbed through the skin. They can then pass into the womb.
At risk: Scientists have now linked chlorinated water to specific birth defects
THMs form because of a chemical reaction between chlorine and natural substances in the water.
They exist in mains water across Britain – but are highest in areas where more chlorine is added because the water quality is poor.
Earlier studies linked chlorinated water to an increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, birth defects and bladder cancer. But this is the first time that the risk has been narrowed down to specific birth defects.
Although a major study in 2007 by Imperial College, London, into birth defects and THM levels in Britain uncovered ‘little evidence’ of a link, the new research appears to contradict its findings.
A research team led by Professor Jouni Jaakkola of the University of Birmingham analysed the birth registry details of nearly 400,000 babies born in Taiwan between 2001 and 2003. Levels of chlorine found in water there are similar to those found in the UK.
Scientists compared the number of birth defects recorded by doctors to the level of THMs in the drinking water in different areas.
The proportions of certain specific defects were much higher in areas where levels of THMs were above 20 micrograms per litre.
The brain condition anencephalus, usually found in 0.01 per cent of births, rose to 0.17 per cent in high-THM areas.
Hole-in-the-heart defects also nearly doubled from 0.015 per cent to 0.024 per cent.
The number of cleft palates rose from 0.029 per cent to 0.045 per cent in high-THM areas.
Overall, the risks of having children with these three defects increased by between 50 per cent and 100 per cent.
There was also a slightly raised risk of urinary tract defects and Down’s syndrome.
The study appears in Environmental Health journal next week.
The number of defects could be much higher as some are not detected until later in childhood.
THM levels across Britain vary widely even within one water company area. They range from 92 micrograms per litre in south Staffordshire to just five in Hartlepool.
Most areas have levels way above the ‘high’ range in the Taiwan study. High levels were recorded in South-West England, Yorkshire and North-East Essex.
Prof Jaakkola said THMs should be cut because the biological reasons for the defects were unknown.
He said: ‘Our findings don’t just add to the evidence that water chlorination may cause birth defects but suggest that exposure to chlorination by-products may be responsible for some specific and common defects.’
Barrie Clarke, spokesman for Water UK, reassured consumers that water companies’ work was in line with the best existing information on THMs.
But he added: ‘There will be no closed minds about this new information.’

Still, the chlorination of water saves many more lives than it risks.  Just look to the Third World where people die from driinking polluted water. It is just like vaccination, it saves many more lives than IT risks too.  Mom (b. 1936) had polio and it left her weakened for a long time.  About all she could do on the farm was drive a tractor.  

Don't turn back the clock.

They may need to investigate the dosage though.

We have had drought conditions for a few years now and rainfall is low here anyway. The mains water is so heavily chlorinated that it is sometimes undrinkable.

The obvious option is to phase out chlorination, there is an alternative, using ozone gas, which degrades into oxygen, which would be far cleaner.

If in doubt, as they say.

I don't think that the effects on down syndrome or autism people are any different than the effects on the rest of the population.  We should all look out for everyone.  What we eat, drink or breathe affects EVERYONE.  Whether it be chlorine or flouride or antibiotics and hormones in our milk... OF COURSE people, particularly small ones are affected.

http://www.holisticmed.com/fluoride/


Neurotoxic and Lowers IQ
In 1995, neurotoxicologist and former Director of toxicology at Forsyth Dental Center in Boston, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix published research showing that fluoride built up in the brains of animals when exposed to moderate levels. Damage to the brain occured and the behavior patterns of the animals was adversely effected. Offspring of pregnant animals receiving relatively low doses of fluoride showed permanent effects to the brain which were seen as hyperactivity (ADD-like symptoms). Young animals and adult animals given fluoride experienced the opposite effect -- hypoactivity or sluggishness. The toxic effects of fluoride on the central nervous system was subsequently confirmed by previously-classified government research. Two new epidemiological studies which tend to confirm fluoride's neurotoxic effects on the brain have shown that children exposed to higher levels of fluoride had lower IQs.

A study published in Brain Research shows that rats drinking only 1 part per million fluoride (NaF) in water had histologic lesions in their brain similar to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In addition, evidence was seen pointing to possible damage to the blood brain barrier from extended fluoride exposure. This study was the third in a series of papers published by Varner et al. Brain Research Vol. 784 No. 12 p 284-298 (1998). Results of this recent study and other studies showing significant dangers from low-level fluoride exposure were presented at a recent scientific symposium.


Causes Cancer
The Department of Health in New Jersey found that bone cancer in male children was between two and seven times greater in areas where water was fluoridated. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers confirmed the bone cancer-causing effects of fluoride at low levels in an animal model. A new study has shown that fluoridation of water is linked to uterine cancer deaths.


Changes Bone Structure and Strength
Fluoride gradually builds up in the bones and causes adverse changes to the bone structure. Quite a few studies have shown that fluoridation leads to increases in hip fractures. The tensile strength of the hip is destroyed over time by fluoride ingestion.


Causes Birth Defects and Perinatal Deaths
A toxicologist in the United Kingdom recently found that perinatal deaths in a fluoridated area was 15% higher than in neighboring non-fluoridated areas. The fluoridated area had a higher socio-economic status and would have been expected to have less perinatal deaths. The fluoridated area also had a 30% higher rate of Down's Syndrome. Chile banned fluoridation because of research by the world-reknowned researcher, Dr Albert Schatz, which showed a link to infant deaths due to fluoridation.

Proven Ineffective
Fluoride compounds in water and in supplements do not provide any significant cavity-protecting effects. All of the recent large-scale studies of water fluoridation have shown that there are no positive effects. That is why countries without fluoridation have shown an equal improvement in dental health as those with fluoridation. (See Research Item #5.) There is scientific evidence that excessive fluoride exposure leads to increased levels of caries. Even pro-fluoridation scientists admit that there is not any properly-conducted research showing that fluoride supplements help prevent cavities. (Note: check vitamins carefully to be sure they do not include fluoride.)


Impairs Immune System
Independent research has shown that fluoride impairs the functioning of the immune system. In the United States, where toxic fluoride compounds are regularly added to water and given to children since the 1960s and 1970s, we are beginning to see an overwhelming number of people of that generation who are developing chronic immune system disorders.


Causes Acute Adverse Reactions
Several double-blind studies have shown that fluoridated water can often cause acute adverse reactions (in addition to the chronic poisoning effects discussed below). Some of the effects seen in double-blind studies include: gastrointestinal symptoms, stomatitis, joint pains, polydipsia, headaches, visual disturbances, muscular weakness, and extreme tiredness. An enlightening review of a book by one famous and well-respected researcher from The Netherlands who found adverse reactions in double-blind experiments can be read here.


Causes Initial Stages of Skeletal Fluorosis
Fluoride can cause severe skeletal fluorosis at high levels. Chronic, long-term exposure to levels of fluoride commonly found in water and food in the U.S. can cause the beginning stages of skeletal fluorosis including: pains in bones and joints, sensations of burning, pricking, and tingling in the limbs, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, reduced appetite, backache, osteoarthritis, etc. In fact, decades of ingestion of fluoride from water and other common sources can be expected to cause these symptoms in large numbers of people based on calculations of fluoride intake and excretion. (Keep in mind that fluoride is a cumulative poison since it builds up in the body of years.) Very few healthcare practitioners are capable of diagnosing such a condition because healthcare practitioners are not trained to test for or recognize the effects chronic poisoning from fluoride.

it goes on and on-

gulp.

So?  What?