The nationwide research, recently published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), reveals that men exposed to air pollution over an average of five years face a heightened risk of infertility. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that fine particulate matter, such as that from car exhaust and industrial emissions, negatively affects male fertility.
In a novel finding, the study also identifies a correlation between noise pollution and infertility among women aged 35 to 45. This association was previously unknown. Additionally, while the impact of noise pollution on men’s fertility was less pronounced, it was still noted among those aged 37 to 45.
The study analyzed data from over 900,000 residents of Denmark who were cohabiting or married and had fewer than two children between 2000 and 2017. The final study group consisted of more than 377,000 women and 526,000 men, with around 16,000 men and 22,600 women diagnosed with infertility.
Researchers excluded individuals with prior infertility diagnoses or those who had undergone surgery to prevent conception. The study’s results were consistent across various socioeconomic groups and geographic locations, whether urban, suburban, or rural.
“As Western nations grapple with declining birth rates and increasing maternal age, understanding how environmental pollutants affect fertility is crucial,” the study authors stated.
The focus of the research was on long-term exposure to two prevalent pollutants: road traffic noise and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Previous studies have linked air pollution to lower sperm quality, specifically affecting sperm motility and count. The researchers also examined noise pollution due to its known effects on stress, sleep, and overall health.
Mette Sørensen, the lead author and senior scientist at the Danish Cancer Society, explained that noise pollution was investigated because of its known impact on stress and sleep disturbances, which might contribute to infertility. The study utilized Danish civil registration data and sophisticated models to estimate pollution levels from nearby traffic and noise sources.
Despite the study’s significant findings, some limitations were noted. Alison Campbell, chief scientific officer at Care Fertility, acknowledged that the study’s reliance on estimations for noise and pollution levels, and its inability to account for workplace exposure, may affect the results. She emphasized that while noise’s effects on fertility are less studied, there is evidence suggesting that noise-induced stress and sleep disruption could impact reproductive health.
Sørensen pointed out that no lower threshold of pollution was identified where the pollutants ceased to be harmful, highlighting the need for further research. The study, being observational, did not establish a causal relationship but suggested that addressing air and noise pollution could be vital in improving birth rates.
If future studies confirm these findings, the researchers propose that implementing policies to reduce pollution could be an effective strategy for enhancing reproductive health and addressing declining birth rates in the Western world.
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