December 9, 2008

Chemical threat to men

This sounds like something from that TV programme from the seventies “Doom Watch” where a group of scientists save the world from disaster.

Well scientists are now warning that pollutants that have made their way into the environment have the ability to appear to be oestrogen the female hormone.

This means that fish, birds and reptiles that have been exposed to these pollutants are in fact being feminised because of being exposed to the hormone.

Fish are being particularly affected by this, with rivers in the UK already showing the signs with nearly the male fish population being feminised.

This has only been noticed in the animal world so far, but there is no evidence either way that the hormone can be transferred through the food chain and ultimately affect the human race.

One of the most noticeable species to be affected is the cod from the North Sea and flounder, which is found in the UK’s estuaries.

Source [Telegraph]