According to a new study, the mixture of chemical substances such as bisphenol A (BPA) and dioxin, which enter our body from many products we use, causes a decrease in sperm quality in men.
The research, published in the academic journal Environment International, examines 9 chemicals, including BPA, polychlorinated dioxin, paracetamol and phthalate, and suggests that the mixture of these substances interferes with the normal functioning of hormones in the body and therefore reduces sperm quality.
The study, which analyzed urine samples from 98 men aged 18-30 in Denmark, found that the most dangerous chemical was BPA, which is found in many products such as water bottles, milk and canned food packaging.
The study’s findings indicate that men’s sexual development begins while they’re still in the womb, so they point out that pregnant women are particularly affected by the research results.
IT HAS BEEN FALLING FOR A LONG TIME
Researchers tracking sperm quality in men have long noted a decline.
A study published in the academic journal Human Reproduction Update in 2017 and compiling 200 studies from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand found that the sperm count in men had decreased by 50 percent in the last 40 years.
On top of that, some doctors suggested that if this decline continued, the human species could perish.
Experts emphasized that the number of diseases proving that the sexual health of men is adversely affected has increased and that these diseases are now more common.
The study, published last week and conducted by the UK-Denmark partnership, shows chemicals that disrupt the hormone balance as the leading cause of this increase.
According to the news of the Guardian, Professor Andreas Kortenkamp from Brunel University in England, who worked at the beginning of the research, states that the findings are surprising and that the risk posed by chemicals is very serious.
Kortenkamp, whose evaluations are included in the news, says that there is no point in waiting any longer to restrict the use of these chemicals, considering the results of the research.
20 MORE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EXAMINED
In the study, 20 more chemicals were analyzed based on the data of the European Food Standards Agency.
While the experts stated that men were exposed to dangerous chemicals, 100 times more harmful substances were detected in the body of one of the men included in the study.
The researchers also ranked the chemicals according to their hazard levels. Accordingly, dioxin, paracetamol and phthalate follow BPA in order.
Previous research suggests that the use of paracetamol during pregnancy affects the future sexual development and health of the baby. Some experts recommend that pregnant women be cautious about taking painkillers and consult with their doctor.
EVERYONE DOESN’T AGREE WITH THE RESULTS
There are some who do not agree with the results of the research. Some experts say the decline in sperm quality is caused by other factors rather than the chemicals listed in this study. Others state that the number of chemicals included in the study is limited.
At the same time, it is not known how much women were exposed to the chemicals included in the study, so how much of these chemicals were seen in pregnant women is not included in the findings of the study.
Experts state that there are some other factors that cause a decrease in sperm quality and that were not considered as factors in this study. Some of these are air pollution, excessive weight gain and smoking.
“Of course we’re not saying these chemicals are the only factor. For example, nutritionists say cheese, butter and fatty meats also affect sperm quality,” Kortenkamp told the Guardian.