Exposure to toxic pesticides in the womb may not actually be linked to autism symptoms, a new study suggests. As autism now affects one in 31 American children, a stark increase from one in 150 in the early 2000s, experts are searching for potential causes and screening tools to catch the condition sooner. Among those most studied are environmental pollution and the use of pesticides used in farming that infiltrate the food supply, particularly fruits and vegetables. Scientists have long suspected that these chemicals trigger inflammation in the brain and alter levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, leading to hallmark characteristics such as communication difficulties and hyperactivity. However, in a new study examining pairs of mothers and children exposed to organophosphate pesticides, which are known to be toxic to humans, during pregnancy, researchers at NYU Langone in New York City found no significant relationship between the toxins and autism-related traits in their children. It's unclear what exactly led to the results, but the researchers suggested that the benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, such as reduced inflammation, may offset the potential harms of pesticides.The team said that while the findings do not conclusively prove that pesticides are safe for children and pregnant women, they do suggest pesticides and autism may not be related.They noted future studies may help inform policies and restrictions surrounding pesticides, which have also been linked to neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and several forms of cancer. Researchers in New York have found that pesticides, which have long been linked to autism, may not cause the condition's hallmark characteristics(stock image)