Not now, dear! It's the traffic

Meghanien Dutta / TNN / Nov 21, 2005, 02:40 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Some studies conducted recently show that increasing pollution is playing havoc with men's reproductive system.

HYDERABAD: What does Hyderabad's bad traffic have to do with the libido of its men? What do all those long hours that a Hyderabadi spends negotiating impossible traffic have to do with his ability to procreate? A lot, it seems.
Because some studies conducted recently show that increasing pollution is playing havoc with men's reproductive system �� not just amongst older men, but also among those in their twenties.
"Air pollution is an impeding factor in fertility, leading to decreased production of sperms," says Dr Roya Rozati, director of the Maternal Health Research and Infertility Clinic, who has researched the subject.
"Though we conducted our research on traffic policemen, who are most exposed to atmospheric pollution, the findings hold good for the general population who breathe in toxic fumes while travelling."

Just to get an idea of how polluted Hyderabad is, the city's air on Friday had suspended particulate matter (SPM) of 340 micrograms per cubic metre��much higher than the 140 micrograms permissible as per Central Pollution Control Board norms.
And if you thought that travelling in an air-conditioned car with the windows up makes you safe, think again.
"Pollution is not all about air quality, it has to do with your lifestyle, what you eat and what you drink," says an analyst.

Dr Rozati's study suggests that male reproduction is impaired by exposure to heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, radiation, and heat. Stress is another factor in infertility.
It is not only caused by the pressures of work, but also by the pressures of driving to work at rush hour. "The fact that our waiting list of patients has gone up by three months as against three weeks earlier, is indicative of the rise in this problem," says Dr K Anuradha, an infertility specialist.
While there has been a sharp increase in infertility among men in the past 7-8 years, it has not increased so much among women��although doctors say they have not been entirely untouched.
Dr A Manjula, consultant gynaecologist at Care Hospital, says, "Most of my patients are working professionals. Their long working hours, especially unearthly shifts and work pressures are leading to infertility in them."
Stress-induced habits such as intake of alcohol and nicotine have also contributed to the problem, she adds. Added to stress is the impact of pesticides and insecticides used for crops and cosmetics.

End of Article