Warning: How plastics are contributing to low infertility – Experts

As infertility rates rise around the world, scientists are warning about a quiet but dangerous threat: chemicals in everyday plastic products.

According to Dr. Shanna Swan, a leading reproductive health expert, certain plastic additives are directly linked to declining sperm counts in men and the crisis is only getting worse.

Sperm counts have been falling by around 1% each year for the past 50 years. But new research shows the rate has doubled since the year 2000, and it’s affecting both Western and non-Western countries, including parts of Africa.

A major global study published by Dr. Swan and her colleagues in 2023 showed that, between 1973 and 2018, global sperm counts dropped by over 60%. That means many men today are producing less than half the sperm their fathers or grandfathers did.

While poor diets, low physical activity, and aging can play a role, Dr. Swan says environmental toxins are the biggest factor especially chemicals found in plastics.

The two main chemicals of concern are phthalates and bisphenols. Phthalates are added to make plastics soft and flexible.

You’ll find them in water bottles, food containers, packaging, and even medical equipment. Bisphenols, including BPA, are used to make plastics hard and sturdy. These are found in bottlecaps, canned food linings, and electronics.

Phthalates are known to lower testosterone, while bisphenols increase estrogen. This hormonal imbalance can have a serious impact on male fertility.

Dr. Swan’s studies also found that exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy can cause problems for baby boys while still in the womb. Conditions like “phthalate syndrome” can lead to smaller genitalia, abnormal sexual development, and lower sperm counts later in life.

This has major implications for countries like Nigeria, where plastic use has grown rapidly. From sachet water packaging to disposable takeout containers and cheap plastic imports, Nigerians are regularly exposed to these harmful additives.

Many people in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt microwave food in plastic, store hot meals in nylon wrappers, and drink bottled water that’s been sitting in the sun.

These practices can release more chemicals into food and drinks, increasing exposure.

While global efforts to regulate plastic pollution recently stalled, with oil-rich countries refusing to accept chemical limits, experts say local action is still possible and necessary.

Here are some steps people in Nigeria can take to reduce their risk:

• Avoid heating food in plastic containers
• Refuse hot food wrapped in soft plastic
• Use glass or stainless-steel bottles instead of plastic
• Store drinking water in safe containers, away from sunlight
• Educate pregnant women about chemical exposure risks

These steps alone won’t solve the global fertility crisis, but they can help individuals protect themselves and their families.

The bigger challenge is how to reduce dependence on harmful plastics while pushing for safer alternatives. Without clear international agreements or government regulation, the responsibility falls on citizens to make smarter, safer choices every day.

The issue of declining sperm counts may not be making headlines in Nigeria, but its effects are quietly building. Unless action is taken soon, the country may face a growing fertility crisis in the years to come.

Source: UK Guardian