Common Pesticides Linked to Global Decline in Sperm Concentrations, Study Finds

Researchers Call for Regulatory Action to Reduce Exposure as Men Planning Families Could Be at Risk

A new study has found a strong association between the use of common pesticides and a global decline in sperm concentrations.
The study, which analyzed data from more than 1,700 men over several decades, found that men exposed to certain classes of pesticides had significantly lower sperm concentrations.
The pesticides in question, organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates, are widely used in agriculture and are present in many consumer products.
While the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the consistent association across multiple studies suggests that the impact of these pesticides on male fertility is significant.
The researchers call for regulatory action to reduce exposure to these pesticides, particularly for men planning to start families.