Impact of Air Pollution and Noise on Infertility

Recent research has explored the varying impacts of environmental pollutants on male and female fertility. Published in BMJ, the study highlights that air pollution correlates more strongly with male infertility, whereas noise pollution is linked with female infertility.

Based on a Danish nationwide cohort study, data was collected from 526,056 men and 377,850 women between the ages of 30 to 45, who were cohabiting or married and had fewer than two children. This cohort, aimed at individuals likely trying to conceive, excluded those previously diagnosed with infertility, living alone, or in same-sex partnerships. From 1995 to 2017, the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and road traffic noise were recorded at their residences, and infertility diagnoses were traced from the national patient register.

Findings

Throughout the 18-year period, 16,172 men and 22,672 women were diagnosed with infertility. After considering other factors such as income, education, and occupation, the analysis found:

- Men exposed to PM2.5 levels that were 2.9 micrograms per cubic meter above the average faced a 24% greater infertility risk.

- No significant link was found between PM2.5 and female infertility.

- Women over 35 experienced a 14% higher risk of infertility when exposed to road traffic noise levels 10.2 decibels above average. Noise had no significant impact on women aged 30-35.

- A slight increase in infertility risk for men aged 37-45 from noise was noted, though not for younger men.

Implications

One in seven UK couples trying to conceive face infertility, corroborated by previous studies connecting air pollution with deteriorating sperm quality. Researchers have called attention to the significance of understanding environmental pollutants on fertility given declining birth rates in Western countries. Further studies affirming these results could prompt political actions aimed at reducing air pollution and noise to enhance birth rates.

The Need for Future Research

While this extensive Danish study establishes associations between environmental exposures and infertility, certain limitations exist, including assumptions about couples' attempts to conceive and the primary exposure to pollution at home. Future studies should integrate individual surveys and biological markers such as hormone levels to refine these findings.

This landmark research underscores the importance of mitigating environmental pollutants for improving public health outcomes related to fertility.

Earlier, SSP wrote about the Universe's secret life before the Big Bang.