Author(s):
Laila M. Al-Omari, Mohammad A. Beirat, Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti, Yasser Bustanji
Email(s):
ybustanji@sharjah.ac.ae
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00325 
Address:
Laila M. Al-Omari1, Mohammad A. Beirat2, Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti3, Yasser Bustanji*4,5
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.
2Department of Special Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, AL-Hussien Bin Talal University, Ma’an,
3Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Jordan.
4College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
5School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942 Jordan.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 5,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has gained increased recognition in recent years. Studies suggest that environmental factors, especially exposure to toxic heavy metals, may contribute to its development. This study examines the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in hair samples from children with ASD in comparison to neurotypical children in Jordan. It also investigates the correlation between numerous environmental and socio-demographic parameters and these metal concentrations. Methods: The research analyzed hair samples from 25 children diagnosed with ASD and 25 neurotypical children matched by age and gender. The samples underwent analysis via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify the amounts of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). Furthermore, parents of 228 children with ASD and 100 neurotypical controls completed structured questionnaires concerning environmental and socio-demographic variables. Results: The results indicated that children with ASD exhibited markedly elevated concentrations of Cd and Pb in their hair relative to the control group. The Cd concentration was quantified at 5.98 ± 1.12 µg/g in the ASD group, compared to 4.14 ± 0.92 µg/g in the control group. Lead levels were measured at 23.99 ± 6.52 µg/g in children with ASD, in contrast to 14.39 ± 2.73 µg/g in the control group. Conversely, copper levels exhibited no significant variations between the two groups. The study also revealed no significant correlations between ASD and certain socio-demographic characteristics, such as parental smoking or proximity to petrol stations, industrial zones, or pesticide-treated areas. Conclusion: The increased concentrations of Cd and Pb in children with ASD underscore the possible influence of environmental metals on the disease in Jordan. The research indicates that wider environmental factors, potentially associated with urbanization, may outweigh household exposures in significance. These findings highlight the necessity of continuous environmental surveillance and public health programs designed to reduce neurotoxic exposures in children.
Cite this article:
Laila M. Al-Omari, Mohammad A. Beirat, Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti, Yasser Bustanji. Heavy Metal Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Hair Analysis in Jordanian Children. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(5):2260-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00325
Cite(Electronic):
Laila M. Al-Omari, Mohammad A. Beirat, Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti, Yasser Bustanji. Heavy Metal Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Hair Analysis in Jordanian Children. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(5):2260-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00325 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-5-46
REFERENCES:
1. Lim HK, Yoon JH, Song M. Autism Spectrum Disorder Genes: Disease-Related Networks and Compensatory Strategies. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 2022; 15. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.922840.
2. Ayasrah M, AL khateeb A, Beirat M, et al. Behavioral Consequences Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Special Care Centers Clinical Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses. 2022; 16(2): 2-5. doi: 10.3371/CSRP.MMWY.100123
3. Ayasrah MAk, A., Beirat M, Alkhawaldeh M. Parental Adjustments to the Behaviour of Children with ASD. Clinical Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses,. 2022; 16(2). doi: 10.3371/CSRP.MMWY.100124.
4. Sarika Y. Autism Spectrum Disorder- A Review. Int J Nur Edu and Research. 2016; 4(2): 223-226. doi.
5. Cortese S, Bellato A, Gabellone A, et al. Latest clinical frontiers related to autism diagnostic strategies. Cell Rep Med. 2025; 6(2). doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101916.
6. Mirza R, Sharma P, Kulkarni GT, et al. Flutamide Alters Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative stress in Experimental Model of Autism. Res J Pharm Technol. 2023; 16(11): 5142-5148. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00833.
7. Yugander P, Jagannath M. Structural neuroimaging findings in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Res J Pharm Technol. 2021; 14(4): 2341-2347. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2021.00413.
8. Vinay Kumar G, Sathish DK. A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Autism among Parents of Autistic Children in Selected Autistic Schools at Mysore. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 2018; 8(3): 362-364. doi: 10.5958/2349-2996.2018.00073.3.
9. Kazantzidou P, Antonopoulou K, Costarelli V, et al. Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder in Southern Europe: a systematic review. Int J. 2025; 71(1): 30-40. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2215012.
10. Dhariyal RS, Kimothi V, Singh S. A Review on Autism. Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics. 2019. doi: 10.5958/2321-5836.2019.00013.2.
11. Santomauro DF, Erskine HE, Mantilla Herrera AM, et al. The global epidemiology and health burden of the autism spectrum: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2025; 12(2): 111-121. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00363-8.
12. Elsabbagh M, Johnson MH. Autism and the Social Brain: The First-Year Puzzle. Biol Psychiatry. 2016; 80(2): 94-99. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.02.019.
13. Elsabbagh M. Linking risk factors and outcomes in autism spectrum disorder: Is there evidence for resilience? BMJ. 2020; 368. doi: 10.1136/bmj.l6880.
14. Sulaimani MF, Daghustani WH. Autism in Saudi Arabia: Media and the Medical Model of Disability. Educ Res Int. 2022; 2022. doi: 10.1155/2022/4824606.
15. Zeidan J, Fombonne E, Scorah J, et al. Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update. Autism Res. 2022; 15(5): 778-790. doi: 10.1002/aur.2696.
16. Alshaban FA, Aldosari M, Ghazal I, et al. Consanguinity as a Risk Factor for Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2023; doi: 10.1007/s10803-023-06137-w.
17. Alshaban F, Aldosari M, Al-Shammari H, et al. Prevalence and correlates of autism spectrum disorder in Qatar: a national study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discip. 2019; 60(12): 1254-1268. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13066.
18. Al-Mamari W, Idris AB, Al Aamri H, et al. Could a National Screening Program Reduce the Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder? J Autism Dev Disord. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s10803-025-06770-7.
19. Obaidi A. A systematic review of the correlation between exposure to environmental pollution and autism in children under 9 years in Middle Eastern countries. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024; 31(1). doi: 10.1186/s43045-024-00489-4.
20. Alkhatib A, Nuseir K, Abdo N, et al. Behavioral interventions with and without pharmacological treatment: A comparative study at an autistic center in Jordan. Jordan J Pharm. 2024; 17(2): 395-406. doi: 10.35516/jjps.v17i2.1974.
21. B. Rashaid AH, Shanayneh T, Alqhazo M, et al. Elemental examination in blood and urine samples of Jordanian children with autism spectrum disorder. Biomark Neuropsychiatry. 2024; 11. doi: 10.1016/j.bionps.2024.100110.
22. Al-Omari LM, Beirat MA, Faris ME, et al. Impact of Sublingual Glutathione on Oxidative Biomarkers and Behavior in Children with Autism: A Pilot Investigation with Pharmacist Involvement. Pharm Pract.2026;24(1) doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2026.1.3366.
23. Al-Omari LM, Hunaiti AA, Beirat MA, et al. Study of MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Associated Oxidative Stress Biomarkers among Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients in Jordan. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. 2020; 13(2): 247-252.
24. Holdridge G, Simpson I, Lichtenberger A, et al. Urban gardens in Antiquity: The case of Gerasa/Jerash in Jordan. JArchaeol Sci Rep. 2022; 46. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103633.
25. Al-Massaedh AA, Al-Momani IF. Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Roadside Soils along Irbid-Amman Highway, Jordan by ICP-OES. Jordan J Chem. 2020; 15(1): 1-12. doi: 10.47014/15.1.1.
26. Al-Hanini M, Makhamreh Z, Al Bakain R. Chemometric Evaluation of Residual Soil Contents: Application to Heavy Metals at Public Parks in Amman – Jordan. Jordan J Earth Environ Sci. 2024; 15(2): 115-122.
27. Chouari R, Leftat L, Arabi FE, et al. Environmental Impact of the Heavy Metal Intoxication on Metabolic, Physiological and Nutritional Profiles in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Morocco. Ecol Eng Environ Tech. 2024; 25(7): 150-161. doi: 10.12912/27197050/188057.
28. Ding M, Shi S, Qie S, et al. Association between heavy metals exposure (cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury) and child autistic disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pediatr. 2023; 11. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1169733.
29. Alhyasat RAE, Khleifat K, Khlaifat AM, et al. Oxidative Stress and its connection to Jordanians' Red Blood Cell Storage. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2024; 17(9): 4304-4310. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2024.00665.
30. Santhosh Kumar R, Asha Devi S. Lead toxicity on male reproductive system and its mechanism: A review. Res J Pharm Technol. 2018; 11(3): 1228-1232. doi: 10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00228.7.
31. Mohammed MB, Alrubaye YSJ. The Oxidative status in Children with Autism receiving Melatonin. Res J Pharm Technol. 2022; 15(1): 338-342. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2022.00055.
32. Fujiwara T, Morisaki N, Honda Y, et al. Chemicals, nutrition, and autism spectrum disorder: A mini-review. Front Neurosci. 2016; 10(APR). doi: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00174.
33. Raparthi N, Yadav S, Khare A, et al. Chemical and oxidative properties of fine particulate matter from near-road traffic sources. Environ Pollut. 2023; 337. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122514.
34. Schoentgen B, Chatin E, Sallé H, et al. Socioeconomic impact of neurodevelopmental disorders in France. Encephale. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2024.11.015.
35. Zhang Y, Maimaiti R, Lou S, et al. Risk prediction of autism spectrum disorder behaviors among children based on blood elements by nomogram: A cross-sectional study in Xinjiang from 2018 to 2019. J Affective Disord. 2022; 318: 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.130.
36. Liu H, Huang M, Yu X. Blood and hair copper levels in childhood autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis based on case-control studies. Rev Environ Health. 2024; 39(3): 511-517. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0256.
37. Faber S, Zinn GM, Kern Ii JC, et al. The plasma zinc/serum copper ratio as a biomarker in children with autism spectrum disorders. Biomarkers. 2009; 14(3): 171-180. doi: 10.1080/13547500902783747.
38. El-Baz F, Mowafy ME, Lotfy A. Study of serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels in Egyptian autistic children. Egypt J Med Hum Genet. 2018; 19(2): 113-116. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2017.08.002.
39. Zhou X, Xia X, Li L, et al. Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Essential Minerals in the Hair of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Association with Symptom Severity. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04588-z.
40. Al-Bazzaz A, A-Dahir K, Almashhadani A, et al. Estimation of fasting serum levels of glucose, zinc, copper, zinc /copper ratio and their relation to the measured lipid profile in autistic patients and non-autistic controls in Jordan. Biomed Pharmacol J. 2020; 13(1): 481-488. doi: 10.13005/bpj/1909.
41. Shalan N, Jarrar Y, Nofal H, et al. Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking Initiation in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Preven. 2024; 25(11): 4089-4096. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.11.4089.
42. Hasan AA. A Descriptive Study among Children suffering from Autism in Baghdad, Iraq. Res J Pharm Technol. 2017. doi: 10.5958/0974-360X.2017.00336.5.
43. Rashaid AB, Alqhazo M, Newbury DF, et al. Evaluation of elements in hair samples of children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Nutr Neurosci. 2023; 26(2): 138-147. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2021.2022068.
44. Varrica D, Tamburo E, Alaimo MG. Levels of trace elements in human hair samples of adolescents living near petrochemical plants. Environ Geochem Health. 2022; 44(11): 3779-3797. doi: 10.1007/s10653-021-01124-5.
45. Suresh P, Kumar KR. Determination of elemental impurities of Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead and Palladium content in Testosterone propionate by using ICP-MS. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2021. doi: 10.52711/0974-4150.2021.00035.
46. Moyano P, de Frias M, Lobo M, et al. Cadmium induced ROS alters M1 and M3 receptors, leading to SN56 cholinergic neuronal loss, through AChE variants disruption. Toxicology. 2018; 394: 54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.12.006.
47. Li CH, Luo JJ, Peng JC, et al. Research progress in central neurotoxicity and mechanism of lead and cadmium in individual or combined exposure. Chin J Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023; 37(6): 446-455. doi: 10.3867/j.issn.1000-3002.2023.06.006.
48. Hertz-Picciotto I, Korrick SA, Ladd-Acosta C, et al. Maternal tobacco smoking and offspring autism spectrum disorder or traits in ECHO cohorts. Autism Res. 2022; 15(3): 551-569. doi: 10.1002/aur.2665.
49. Duque-Cartagena T, Dalla MDB, Mundstock E, et al. Environmental pollutants as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-19742-w.
50. Yenkoyan K, Mkhitaryan M, Bjørklund G. Environmental Risk Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review. Curr Med Chem. 2024; 31(17): 2345-2360. doi: 10.2174/0109298673252471231121045529.
51. Gul A, Bhat N, Ganie ZA. The Effect of Parenting Behavior on Behavior Problems of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2019; 10(4): 1059. doi: 10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00173.6.