Sperm Counts Hit By Ozone

SPERM counts in men fall when ozone levels in the air increase, a survey has revealed.

Researchers studied 48 men who donated to a sperm bank in Los Angeles at least 10 times over two years.

Using measurements from the area where each lived, the team estimated the amount of air pollutants they were exposed to before each donation.

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides seemed to have no effect.

Ozone was the only pollutant linked to decreased sperm production, New Scientist reported.

Dr Rebecca Sokol, of the University of Southern California, said: “Our data implicate ozone as a possible toxicant.

“It may account for declining sperm densities in specific regions.”

The researchers plan to now test men whose count is already low.