Parents publicize reported link between coal plants and autism

by Sandra Hernandez, CW33 News at Nine

April 30, 2008, 6:55 PM CDT

DALLAS — "I guess i'm getting emotional right now because I don't want to be here," Christine Gianadda said. "I want my kids to be in school having friends."

But that's not an option for her 9 year old son, Gordon.

He was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a regressive form of autism, when he was 13 months old.

4/30-Parents publicize reported link between coal plants and autism

"I mean we'd put him down for a nap and he woke up screaming, beating his head, lost all language," she said.

Parents gathered in front of the federal courthouse in Dallas to show there's a link between mercury emissions from coal fire plants and autism.

Doctor Raymond Palmer with the University of Texas Health Science Center is the lead researcher.

"There is a statistically significant increase in autism risk with closer proximity to the pollution source. On average we find that with every 10 mile increment closer to the pollution source, autism prevalence is increased by approximately two percent," he said.

The study looks at emissions from 39 power plants, 56 industrial sources and records from more than 1000 texas schools districts.

Toxicologist Doctor Lucy Fraiser was asked by the Clean Coal Technology Foundation to review the study.

"In my opinion the study fails to make any connection whatsoever to mercury releases from these particular industrial sources and actual exposure to mercury in the environment or autism."

For the last three years the McDermott's have been testing Ty's urine up to four times a month and each time find high levels of mercury.

"He hasn't been vaccinated in four years. We're still dumping metals," said Tracy McDermott, Ty's mother. "If any mainstream medical doctor can please tell me, where is he getting this exposure?"