A plastics chemical linked to reduced fertility in men is in the majority of teenagers, research has found.

 

研究发现，大多数青少年体内都含有一种与男性生育能力下降有关的塑料化合物。

 

More than 80 percent of teenagers have traces of the chemical compound in their bodies, according to the study involving 94 young people aged¹ between 17 and 19.

 

The chemical known as Bisphenol A can be found in plastic containers and water bottles, till receipts, on the inside of cans and bottle tops and in plastic packaging and tubing, and has similarities to female sex hormone² oestrogen.

 

Some previous research has suggested that it could be linked to decreased sperm³ counts and could affect the way some genes⁴ work, though the plastics industry says it is safe.

 

Participants in the study, students at Devon schools, tried to limit their contact with the chemical for a week through avoiding plastic packaging which contains BPA, switching to stainless⁵ steel and glass food and drink storage containers, and avoiding tinned food.

 

The chemical has a relatively⁶ short half-life of six hours and passes out of the body quickly, but 86 percent of students had traces in their bodies, with an average level of 1.9ng/ml, similar to levels recorded in other countries around the world.

 

Overall they did not see a drop in their recorded levels, though some of those with the highest levels at the start of the study did experience some reduction.

 

They also reported that it was difficult to avoid the chemical, because of unclear and inconsistent labeling and the difficulty of sourcing and identifying food which was free of it.

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