According to a report in the Journal Environmental Health Perspectives, children exposed to high levels of flame retardants and pesticides while in the womb had more autistic behaviors than those exposed to lower levels.

In this study, 175 pregnant women were tested for hormone-disrupting chemicals in their blood or urine. When their children turned 4 to 5 years old, their mothers rated their behaviors by completing a Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) test — a measure of autistic behaviors.

Children whose mothers had the highest levels of the brominated flame retardant PBDE-28 scored higher on the SRS. Similarly, mothers who had high levels of a banned pesticide, chlordane, scored higher on the SRS. Both PBDE-28 and chlordane disrupt the hormonal system.

We are being exposed to more and more endocrine-disrupting chemicals. PBDE flame retardants are found in mattresses, couches, carpets, rugs, clothing, cribs, and flooring. The “B” in PBDE stands for bromine, which inhibits iodine.

In other words, excess exposure to bromine can cause the body to release iodine and become iodine-deficient.

The vast majority of my patients are iodine deficient and have high levels of bromine.

Bromine is a toxic agent that has no purpose in our bodies. Iodine is an element we can’t live without.

Chlordane is a chlorinated pesticide. Most pesticides and herbicides contain toxic halides such as chlorine, fluorine, or bromine. All of these can cause iodine deficiency.

Studies have linked iodine deficiency to autism.

It is best to avoid exposure to toxic halides such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromine, especially while pregnant. And it is necessary, in our toxic world, to ensure that you have adequate iodine levels.