Reproductive hazards to Men from workplace chemical exposure

Many workplace chemicals have can destroy DNA or effect hormones to our bodies & at least 1000 chemicals have shown these effects to animals tested to these chemicals.  New chemicals are created daily.

 Examples of men reproductive hazards in the workplace:

  • changes the level of hormones in a male body which alters how sperm are made or the man’s sexual performance. – insecticides, lead, organophosphate, DDE, manganese, phthalates.
  • can stop or slow the creation of sperm, resulting in fewer sperm to fertilize an egg; if no sperm are created, the man is sterile – lead, diesel exhaust, pesticide, bisphenol A, organophosphate, chromium, paraquat/malathion.
  • can alter the shape of sperm cells to be different. These sperm often have reduced swimming ability and are unable to fertilize the egg. – insecticides, lead, carbon disulphide, pesticides, bisphenol A, petrochemical, carbofuran, nickel.
  • can affect the genetics (DNA) found in sperm, if DNA is damaged, it may not be able to fertilize an egg; or if it does fertilize an egg, it may affect the development of the unborn baby – phthalates, styrene, organophosphate, carbaryl, fen valerate, lead, benzene.
  • chemicals are absorbed in the epididymis, seminal vesicles, or prostate. They may kill the sperm, change the way in which they swim, or attach to the sperm and be carried to the egg – lead, trichloroethylene, boron, cadmium.
  • low amount of sperm that may result in the fluid not transporting the sperm to the cervix – lead, organophosphate, paraquat/malathion.
  • low number of swimming sperm or not swimming sperm reduces the number of sperm available for fertilization – insecticides, diesel exhaust, lead, carbon disulphide, phthalates, pesticides, bisphenol A, fen valerate, petrochemical, welding, N, N-dimethylformamide, abamectin, paraquat/malathion.
  • lower sex drive – carbon disulphide, bisphenol A.
  • erectile dysfunction (ED) – bisphenol A.
  • lower ejaculation quality – bisphenol A.

 If you recognise any of these chemicals exposures from your workplace operations ask your WHS/OHS manager do they know the current exposure levels emitted to you and your workplace colleagues. For more info talk to Occupational Matters expert hygienist. www.occmatters.com.au

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