Chemicals found in carpets, floors and clothes damage SPERM

Chemicals found in household items are damaging the sperm of both men and their dogs, research has found.

Sperm quality in men has fallen by 50 per cent in the past 80 years.

And, intriguingly, it has also been found to have fallen by 30 per cent in domestic dogs.

This has led researchers to believe the common factor damaging both species' fertility is living in the home environment.

They found chemicals known as DEHP and PCB 153 are found in similar levels in humans and dogs – suggesting that, despite very different diets and activities, both are having their fertility damaged in the same way.

Chemicals DEHP and PCB 153, which are both found in clothing, carpets and upholstery, can damage sperm quality by upsetting the balance of hormones in men's and dogs' bodies, researchers at the University of Nottingham have found

Chemicals DEHP and PCB 153, which are both found in clothing, carpets and upholstery, can damage sperm quality by upsetting the balance of hormones in men's and dogs' bodies, researchers at the University of Nottingham have found

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have tested the effects of the two chemicals on sperm count and quality of men and dogs.

PCB was banned in the UK and Europe in 2004 but it lasts a long time in the environment and can be found in fatty foods.

DEHP, full name diethylhexyl phthalate, is found in many items containing plastic, including carpets, flooring, furniture, clothes and toys. 

Scientists tested the effects on semen in a lab using concentrations of the chemicals found in human and dogs – and found that they led sperm quality to decline. 

Sperm had reduced motility – they were less able to swim – and also showed more signs of DNA damage.

The chemicals have similar effects to the female sex hormone, oestrogen, meaning they cause problems during sperm production – a testosterone-led process.

Professor Richard Lea said: 'This new study supports our theory that the domestic dog is indeed a 'sentinel' or mirror for human male reproductive decline.

CHEMICALS IN PERFUME AND BODY LOTION 'TRIGGER EARLY PUBERTY'

Chemicals found in perfumes and body lotions may make girls go through puberty early, according to University of California researchers.

People exposed to chemicals called diethyl phthalate or methyl paraben as children or in the womb could become teenagers at a younger age, a study suggests.

Diethyl phthalate was used in perfumes and cosmetics and only banned by the EU in significant concentrations last year. 

And methyl paraben is found in high street body lotions and hand

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