Comments
In the past, male infertility was observed in workers exposed to DBCP and chlordecone, two pesticides that are no longer used. Decreased sperm count (oligospermia) has been associated with glycol ethers, carbon disulfide, lead, and acute ionizing radiation. [ATSDR Case Studies # 29: Reproductive and Developmental Hazards] ". . . reduced sperm counts and abnormal sperm motility and morphology have been observed in lead-exposed workers down to PbB of 400 ug/l [40 ug/dL]." [ACGIH: BEI Documentation] Other causes of reduced male fecundity are EDB (chemical manufacturing), estrogens (drug manufacturing), ionizing radiation (work accidents), and occupational exposure to heat. [Luderer, p. 630] A 1985 study of 85 male workers producing manganese salts found, "that a TWA exposure to manganese dust of 1 mg Mn/m3 (total aerosol) may be sufficient to interfere with male reproductive function and cause a significant deficit in the number of children born to manganese-exposed men." [ACGIH]