Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Nation puts youths at risk of autism

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Parents and teachers search for solutions to autism. Childhood developmental problems associated with autism typically affect how children think, speak, listen and move.

Although experts have concluded that excess childhood exposure to lead causes severe learning problems and significantly reduced intelligence levels, they will not go as far as to confirm an absolute link of lead poisoning and childhood autism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum level of 40 parts per million of lead be allowed in children’s products.

However, 17 percent of children’s products were found to have had much higher lead levels. Furthermore, 35 percent of Chinese-imported toys had levels of lead above 600 parts per million.

When it comes to children’s toys and jewelry, U.S. authorities admit that just 23 percent of our youngsters’ toys manufactured in China are inspected.

No human being can be expected to develop normally or act rationally if they ingest high levels of toxins at their most vulnerable stages of life.

The United States should begin holding our business and political sectors legally and financially responsible for failing to protect the safety and best interests of our most precious possession — our children.

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