A new study published in the British Medical Journal has revealed that exposure to noise and air pollution could significantly affect fertility. The research, carried out in Denmark, analysed data from more than 900,000 people aged between 30 and 45, shedding light on how urban environmental factors influence reproductive health.
What did the British Medical Journal study reveal?
The study, which ran from 2000 to 2017, found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air was linked to a 24 per cent increased risk of infertility in men who were exposed to higher levels over a five-year period. PM2.5 particles are known to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, which can cause a number of health problems. Dr Allan Pacey, a professor of andrology at the University of Manchester, highlighted the importance of this study, noting that it provides strong evidence linking air pollution to infertility, compared to previous research that often relied on indirect measures such as semen quality, according to media reports.
Interestingly, PM2.5 exposure did not show a similar effect on women’s fertility. Instead, the study identified road traffic noise as a significant factor affecting female reproductive health. Women over 35 years of age who were exposed to elevated noise levels had a 14% higher risk of infertility. This association was not evident in younger women aged 30–35 years, suggesting that the impact of noise pollution on fertility may be more pronounced in older women.
This comprehensive analysis underscores the broader implications of environmental contaminants on reproductive health and highlights the need for continued research and public health interventions to mitigate these risks.
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