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14 durhamcitizen.ca August 31, 2021

Plummeting sperm counts, shrinking penises:

toxic chemicals threaten humanity

The chemicals to blame for our reproductive away from a chemical by chemical approach,
crisis are found everywhere and in which has historically resulted in companies
everything switching to equally bad or worse
The end of humankind? It may be coming substitutes. The first chemical classes to be
sooner than we think, thanks to hormone- addressed in products include phthalates,
disrupting chemicals that are decimating PFAS, PCBs, alkyphenol ethoxylate and
fertility at an alarming rate around the globe. bisphenol compounds, and organohalogen
A new book called Countdown, by Shanna flame retardants.” The state has taken
Swan, an environmental and reproductive important steps to address the extent of
epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine chemical pollution, but by and large, the
at Mount Sinai in New York, finds that sperm United States, like many other countries, is
counts have dropped almost 60% since 1973. fighting a losing battle because of weak,
Following the trajectory we are on, Swan’s inadequate legislation.
research suggests sperm counts could reach The rapid death and decline of sperm must
zero by 2045. Zero. Let that sink in. That be addressed, and it must be addressed now
would mean no babies. No reproduction. No In the United States today, for example, you
more humans. Forgive me for asking: why can’t eat the deer meat caught in in Oscoda,
isn’t the UN calling an emergency meeting THE END OF HUMANITY? Michigan, as the health department there
on this right now? issued a “do not eat” advisory for deer caught
The chemicals to blame for this crisis are near the former air force base because of
found in everything from plastic containers staggeringly high PFOS levels in the muscle
and food wrapping, to waterproof clothes of one deer.
and fragrances in cleaning products, to soaps existential crisis.” That’s not hyperbole. threat. Laws and regulations vary from And, just the other week, hundreds of
and shampoos, to electronics and carpeting. That’s just science. country to country, region to region, and, in residents who live near Luke air force base in
Some of them, called PFAS, are known as As if this wasn’t terrifying enough, Swan’s the United States, state to state. The Arizona were advised not to drink their
“forever chemicals”, because they don’t research finds that these chemicals aren’t just European Union, for example, has restricted water, when tests detected high levels of toxic
breakdown in the environment or the human dramatically reducing semen quality, they several phthalates in toys and sets limits on chemicals. Scientists have found these
body. They just accumulate and accumulate are also shrinking penis size and volume of phthalates considered “reprotoxic” – substances in the blood of nearly all the
– doing more and more damage, minute by the testes. This is nothing short of a full-scale meaning they harm the human reproductive people they tested in the US. No country or
minute, hour by hour, day by day. Now, it emergency for humanity. capacities – in food production. region on earth is untouched by PFAS
seems, humanity is reaching a breaking Swan’s book echoes previous research, which In the United States, a scientific study found contamination. It is a global problem. PFAS
point. has found that PFAS harms sperm phthalate exposure “widespread” in infants, has been found in every corner of the globe. It
Swan’s book is staggering in its findings. “In production, disrupts the male hormone and and that the chemicals were found in the is virtually present in the bodies of every
some parts of the world, the average is correlated to a “reduction of semen quality, urine of babies who came into contact with human. It’s found in fish deep in the sea, and
twentysomething woman today is less fertile testicular volume and penile length”. These baby shampoos, lotions and powders. Still, birds flying high in the sky.
than her grandmother was at 35,” Swan chemicals are literally confusing our bodies, aggressive regulation is lacking, not least And it’s killing us, literally, by harming and
writes. In addition to that, Swan finds that, making them send mix messages and go because of lobbying by chemical industry attacking the very source of life: our
on average, a man today will have half of the haywire. giants. reproductive capacities. The rapid death and
sperm his grandfather had. “The current Given everything we know about these In the state of Washington, lawmakers decline of sperm must be addressed, and it
state of reproductive affairs can’t continue chemicals, why isn’t more being done? Right managed to pass the Pollution Prevention for must be addressed now. There simply is no
much longer without threatening human now, there is a paltry patchwork of Our Future Act, which “directs state agencies time to lose.
survival,” writes Swan, adding: “It’s a global inadequate legislation responding to this to address classes of chemicals and moves -Erin Brockovich

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ARIES: (Born between 21st March & 20th April) LIBRA: (Born between 23rd September & 22nd October)
Don’t be tempted to be lazy with something that needs to be done or Letting go of anything that takes up too much time or interferes with
details you should be dealing with or you will regret it later. Life will necessary routines will be more easily let go this week. Mercury, the
get busy on the communication side with other people from now to planet of thought and communication moves into your sign for a very
late November. Be careful that you do not over promise because long stay – to 30th November. This will give you plenty of opportunity
unforeseen circumstances could trip you up. to think about you and perhaps make changes.
TAURUS: (Born between 21st April & 20th May) SCORPIO: (Born between 23rd October & 21st November)
Something you have had your doubts about would be better dropped You could meet with unexpected disagreement either with a friend or
especially if it has started to interfere with anything you need to within a group situation with other people. This could be rather a
manage on a regular basis. There is much you can get into place if you shock to you. The need to withdraw to some degree and give yourself
put your mind to it up to late November. Be cautious about what you time to think either about this or what would be best to begin
are prepared to be responsible for. Expect some changes. establishing will be the case until late November. Be patient.

GEMINI: (Born between 21st May & 20th June) SAGITTARIUS: (Born between 22nd November & 21st December)
Being able to do things your own way will appeal to you more than Situations that involve you with a group of people where there is an
anything else. This could generate a lot of frustration with any exchange of ideas will be more strongly highlighted to late November.
obligations that have a doubtful or confusing element attached to This can provide some enjoyment, which could lead to some solid
them. You will be in a better position to view future opportunities friendships being established. Something you thought was the case
with greater optimism to late November. Changes can be made. initially could change as time progresses.

CANCER: (Born between 21st June & 22nd July) CAPRICORN: (Born between 22nd December & 19th January)
Home and family matters may require more of your attention to late Clarity about something that could be difficult to fulfil in the long
November. You might need to work out where you will get support. term could see you making the decision to drop it, however
This will be reliable but at the same time you may have to deal with disappointing that may be. More practical, down to earth matters will
tension and disagreement. You need to go with the flow because require your attention to late November, especially where your income
nothing will take a straightforward path. Trust your feelings. or finances are concerned, combined with obligations.

LEO: (Born between 23rd July & 22nd August) AQUARIUS: (Born between 20th January & 18th February)
Don’t spend money impulsively this week – you might need it later. Best to move on from any disappointments you have, where the
Communication or any exchange of ideas with others can take very expectations of somebody else is concerned. Leave them to it. You
stable, reliable directions from now to late November. This does not have better things to think about up to late November where you own
mean though that the need to rethink ideas or plans will not occur. future and what you want from life is concerned. Don’t waste the
Taking a balanced approach will help to sort these things out. opportunity to improve your personal situation this year.

VIRGO: (Born between 23rd August & 22nd September) PISCES: (Born between 19th February & 20th March)
You can be easily frustrated by somebody else whose approach is more You could be surprised with the definite manner that somebody else
based on gaining sympathy, rather than dealing with the situation displays, though you should not let this lower your self-confidence.
they find themselves in. You main focus needs to be yourself and Their motives or way of thinking may not be what you presume and
whatever you need to handle, especially if you feel that your finances for that reason you need to give this time so that you can investigate
need your attention when it comes to everyday needs. further. Don’t assume things can’t be changed.