On January 24, 2021, the news organization The Intercept published an interview with reproductive epidemiologist Shanna Swan on her new book “Countdown,” which discusses the link between declining sperm counts and chemical pollution as well as the need for action to protect human fertility.
The book, set to be released on February 23, 2021, is based on a study (FPF reported) finding an overall decline of 52.4% of the mean sperm concentration between 1973 and 2011 among unselected Western men from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Swan argues that even though the study has raised public awareness, political actions are still due, and she hopes this will change with the release of her book.
In “Countdown”, Swan describes among others the observed changes in reproductive and sexual development in humans and other species, gives insight into what could cause these trends e.g. the environmental, lifestyle, and sociological factors, discusses the effect on long-term-health and survival, and finally what actions we could take protect ourselves but also the health of unborn children.
On February 23, 2021, The Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) will hold a webinar in which Swan will share more background information related to her book and research.
Reference
Shanna Swan (February 23, 2021). “Countdown: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.” Scribner
Read More
Environmental Health News (March 1, 2021). “How Your Environment Influences Infertility.”
ChemTrust (March 1, 2021). “New book ‘count down’ highlights the threat that harmful chemicals pose to fertility and reproductive development.”
Pete Myers (February 25, 2021). “Pete Myers: Our failure on fertility.” Environmental Health News
Mike Schade (February 25, 2021). “Why is getting pregnant so difficult these days? An interview with Dr. Shanna Swan on her new book.” Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
HEAL (February 25, 2021). “Book review: “Count Down – How our modern world is threatening sperm counts, altering male and female reproductive health, and imperiling the future of the human race” by Dr. Shanna Swan.”
Sharon Lerner (January 24, 2021). “Toxic chemicals threaten humanity’s ability to reproduce.” The Intercept
CHE (February 23, 2021). “Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.”
Plastic Pollution Coalition (February 2021). “February 24 Webinar – Will Humanity Survive Plastic Pollution?“
