Men exposed to fine particle air pollution may risk having smaller, abnormally-shaped sperm, which “may result in a significant number of couples with infertility,” a study revealed on Wednesday said.
An analysis of 2001-2014 data for more than 6,400 Taiwanese men and boys aged 15 to 49 found “a robust association” between a decline in “normal” sperm and exposure to PM 2.5 pollution, the study noted.
PM 2.5 is the term used for air pollution containing the smallest of particles, those measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or less. A micron is a millionth of a meter.
The link was observed for short-term exposure of three months, as well as for long-term exposure of two years, according to study results published in the medical journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, though outside experts questioned the conclusions.
The research team said every increase of five micrograms per cubic meter of air (5ug/m3) in PM 2.5 exposure over two years, was associated with a “significant drop” of about 1.29 percent in normal sperm shape and size.
Pollution exposure was measured at each participant’s home address using NASA satellite data.
While sperm shape and size declined, sperm numbers increased, “possibly as a compensatory mechanism,” the researchers found.
A similar correlation was witnessed with PM 2.5 exposure of only three months – how long it takes for sperm to be generated.
