A recent study published in the BMJ has highlighted the relationship between noise exposure to female infertility and that of air pollution with male infertility.

This study included 526,056 men and 377,850 women aged 30 to 45, who were married or cohabiting and had less than 2 children, and lived between 2000 to 2017. A high proportion of these people were actively trying to conceive. Surgically sterilised individuals were excluded from the study.

It was observed that air pollution exposure levels of PM2.5 for 5 years were associated with a 24% higher risk of male infertility in the studied age group. A similar association was observed between traffic noise exposure and a higher risk of female infertility. No association was found between PM2.5 exposure and female infertility. These associations were found to be consistent across different socio-economic statuses and rural, suburban, and urban populations.

The researchers concluded that the confirmation of these observations with further research will mean that regulation of noise and air pollution can improve fertility, along with other health benefits.

Reference-

1.  Long term exposure to road traffic noise and air pollution and risk of infertility in men and women: nationwide Danish cohort study. BMJ [Internet]. 2024 Sep 4;(BMJ 2024;386:e080664). Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2024-080664