Decorators facing fertility threat.
PAINTERS, decorators and DIY enthusiasts could be damaging their fertility levels, scientists have said.They found that men repeatedly exposed to organic solvents found in paints and inks are more than twice as likely to have a low sperm count compared with those not exposed to the chemicals.
Researchers warn that the higher the level of exposure, the greater the effect on fertility levels which have plummeted over the last two decades.
Professional pters, builders and painters and decorators are most at risk, the scientists write in the journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
They focused on more than 1,200 manual workers attending fertility clinics in Canada between 1972 and 1991. Each man's job was graded according to the level of solvent exposure and the men's semen samples were analysed for volume and activity.
After taking into account other factors likely to influence the results, the results showed that men exposed to moderate occupational levels were more than twice as likely to have low sperm counts, with low numbers of active sperm.
Men exposed to high levels were around three times as likely to have low sperm counts. Painters and decorators, builders, and printers had the highest risk, they found.
The authors admit some of the infertile men might have been exposed to lead, but the only common factor for all of them was repeated exposure to organic solvents.
Report co-author Dr Nicola Cherry, from Canada's University of Alberta concluded: "Exposure to organic solvents is common both at work and in recreational pursuits.
"The results of this study suggest that efforts should be made to identify the compounds hazardous to male fertility and if the risk is confirmed, to regulate their use."
The authors are not able to pinpoint which of the solvents is most hazardous for male fertility, but suggest that prime candidates could be glycol ethers, known to affect the reproductive systems of animals.
They are found in paints, printing inks and thinners.
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| Publication: | Daily Post (Liverpool, England) |
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| Date: | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Words: | 326 |
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