World Environment Day 2021 – How does the Environment Impact our Reproductive Health?

World Environment Day is celebrated worldwide on the 5^th of June each year to remind people about the importance of nature and the environment, and the need for us to protect them. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.’ Indeed, there is the need to restore the environment because a degraded environment is an unhealthy one. To honour this important day, we at DGG want to share with you the kind of impact environmental degradation can have on both the male and female reproductive health.

In a fast-moving world where industrialization keeps booming, the use of synthetic chemicals and repeated exposure to hazardous chemicals have become the order of the day. Apart from the fact that our ecosystems suffer, we as humans, are adversely affected. The exposure to hazardous chemicals adversely affect our reproductive health.

Epidemiological evidence have shown that environmental chemicals have an association with some female and male reproductive health issues. For instance, Endocrine-Disruptive Chemicals (EDCs) which include persistent pollutants (DDT, dioxins and cadmium) and pesticides (i.e., insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) interfere with the way the body’s hormones work. These chemicals are able to bioaccumulate in the body causing infertility, congenital malformations, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage, low birthweight, small-for-gestational-age birth, preterm delivery and stillbirth. In males, sperm quality parameters are also negatively affected.

There is another chemical known as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) which is used in the industries for enhancing the plasticity of materials. Females exposed to this chemical have a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy, an increased risk of pregnancy loss, reduced oocyte (immature egg cell) yields and lower likelihood of live birth. Men on the other hand, experience a decrease in the likelihood of implantation and live birth. A metal such as lead which is used in printing, painting and battery industries is known to cross the placental barrier as early as in the 12th week of gestation and can potentially disrupt brain development in the foetus. In men, sperm mobility and functional maturity of sperms decreases. Most of these exposures are occupational exposures. Females experience the greatest risks when it comes to these exposures; their entire reproductive cycle may be at risk.

What then can one do if working in situations that expose you to such chemicals? The following are DGG’s thoughts on what can be done:

Are you an industry that necessarily has to use some of these chemicals? You need to observe the proper safety precautions and ensure that your staff have protective gear. You should also insist that they wear the protective gear at all times.
Do you work in an industry that uses such chemicals or do you work with them privately? Are you a welder, mason, painter, carpenter, auto sprayer, or farmer? You should always wear your protective gear at work. If you work in a place where such gear is not provided but should be, you need to insist that you are provided with them.
Follow the accepted guidelines for the use and disposal of these chemicals strictly as directed by environmental and health experts.

Wise up! Think of your health and that of your progeny!