AIR POLLUTION CUTS SEMEN COUNT

BREATHE clean air – make more babies. As simple as that? Perhaps. According to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (Exposure to Environmental Ozone Alters Semen Quality, Vol. 114, No. 3. Mar., 2006), male infertility is affected by exposure to environmental toxicants…aka air pollution.

The study, conducted by Rebecca Z. Soko, Peter Kraft, Ian M. Fowler, Rizvan Mamet, Elizabeth Kim and Kiros T. Berhane, analyzed semen samples donated to a Los Angeles area sperm bank between January 1996 and December 1998 and matched air pollution levels measured at the same time. The findings linked the relationship between semen quality and air pollution, recording marked reductions in sperm concentration and total motile sperm count in direct relationship to Los Angeles area air pollution levels (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter) measured on semen collection dates. Significant adverse effect on semen quality (count and motility) related to exposure to elevated pollution levels suggest that clean air matters not just today, but for future generations.

BREATHE LA works to promote clean air and healthy lungs (as well as healthy semen counts) in Los Angeles County, through research, education and technology. Breathe California Los Angeles County, BREATHE LA, Air Quality Compact is endorsed by the Los Angeles City Council and a growing number of elected and community leaders.

Exposure to Environmental Ozone Alters Semen Quality Rebecca Z. Sokol; Peter Kraft; Ian M. Fowler; Rizvan Mamet; Elizabeth Kim; Kiros T. Berhane Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 114, No. 3. (Mar., 2006), pp. 360-365. Published in Environmental Health Perspectives, currently published by The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) for full study and academic abstract, visit http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-6765%28200603%29114%3A3%3C360%3AET...