Environmental Factor Infertility
Environmental and Lifestyle Causes For Infertility
Feb 24, 2007 Joanna Karpasea-Jones
Did you know that in 1938, only half a percent of men were infertile? By the 1990's, this had risen to 12% of men. Some of the reasons for this are thought to be car emissions, chemical solvants and leads in household cleaners and paints and the use of pesticides in the food chain. Prior to the mid-forties and early fifties, most foods were produced organically. (Dr. Cecil Jacobson, Reproductive Genetics Center, Vienna, Virginia).
Mass vaccination may also be a contributory factor. Although vaccines go through safety and efficacy trials prior to being released to the public, according to all the manufacturer's data sheets which come with each vial of vaccine, 'this product has never been evulated for it's reproductive, carcinogenic or mutagenic effect' (i.e. vaccines are not tested for their effect on fertility, or whether they will cause cancer or mutate into other illnesses). Since no reproductive studies have ever been undertaken, it is impossible to evulate whether or not the ever increasing vaccine programmes would have an effect on fertility.
Agricultural workers also have a statistically higher level of infertility. Wives of farmers or those living near farm land were found to have higher rates of miscarriage than other women, as well as a higher risk of having babies with birth defects, due to the pesticides sprayed on crops. (Erin Bell, University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Epidemiology, March 2001).
Smoking has an adverse impact on fertility. Men who smoke have a lower sperm count which is up to 17% lower than non-smokers.
Fertility Sterility Journal 6(1):35-43, 1994.
Smoking of illegal drugs such as marijuana has also been found to stop ovulation in monkeys (Science News, 26 March 1983).
Other ocupational hazards include dentistry and medicine. Dental assistants have a 24% risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects, compared with the control who had an 11% risk. This may be due to dental mercury fillings and anesthetics.
International Archives of Occupational & Environmental Health
Vol. 59:551-557, 1987
Painters and decorators are at an increased risk of fathering children with central nervous system problems, due to the chemicals in paint, flooring, etc.
U.S. News & World Report, December 14, 1992.
Overall, 90% of miscarriages occur because the embryo or fetus is malformed. 60% of these have been found to be caused by genetic abnormality, which has scary implications for our future, showing clearly that we have to change our lifestyles and our attitude to our bodies if we are to avoid ever increasing infertility rates.
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