Most men know by now that good lifestyle choices – such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and drinking in moderation – make a big difference in staying healthy. Men may too often ignore these sensible recommendations, but it’s not because they’re not aware of them.
What many don’t realize is that environmental exposures also contribute to major diseases and health concerns that primarily affect men. EWG’s researchers scoured the scientific literature and uncovered troubling data that may come as a surprise. There has been significant research in recent decades showing that chronic conditions such as heart disease, prostate cancer, infertility may be linked to everyday exposures to chemicals in water, consumer products and food.
Additionally, many men don’t know that they’re at a higher risk than women of developing skin cancer and dying from its most fatal form, melanoma. Read EWG’s advice on some of the alarming trends regarding skin cancer, and why men should engage in proper sun safety.
There’s not much you can do about your genetics, but there are lots of ways to reduce exposures to potentially harmful chemicals and other environmental risk factors, so why not follow some of EWG’s tips and increase your chances of living the healthiest and longest life possible?
fSix surprising things that can affect male fertility
A 2013 poll conducted for The Associated Press found that 8 of every 10 men said they had always wanted to be fathers or would like to be one someday. There’s a popular misconception that infertility is a woman’s problem, but according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in about 40 percent of infertile couples, the male partner is either the sole or a contributing cause.
The causes of male infertility are complex and varied, but avoiding risks that can impair proper development of a man’s hormone and reproductive systems is first and foremost. In order to impregnate a woman, a man has to be able to produce and ejaculate enough healthy sperm to fertilize her egg, and studies show that several types of toxic chemicals that everyone encounters in daily life can alter sperm and semen in ways that may impair fertility.
Here are some of the ways that you can be exposed to potentially fertility-impairing chemicals and what you can do to avoid them:
1. Chemicals in household dust
Research has shown that dust is likely to contain several chemicals that may affect sperm quality, including flame-retardants, long-banned polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and phthalates. These particles come from everyday household products, the construction materials used in older homes and the outdoor environment. In a number of human epidemiological studies, these contaminants have been associated with lowered sperm counts, poorer sperm movement (motility) and abnormally shaped sperm.
What can you do? Dusting may sound like a funny thing to recommend to guys interested in protecting their sperm, but using a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter, mopping the floors and dusting with a damp cloth can reduce the amount of dust you’re exposed to and the fertility-impairing chemicals it may carry.
2. Body-care products
Many personal care products contain ingredients that can damage reproductive health. Among them are phthalates, a class of toxic chemicals that aren’t often listed on labels but can lurk under non-specific ingredient “fragrance.” Phthalates are typically used to make plastics more flexible and have been associated with several types of sperm damage, including lower sperm counts, impaired movement and abnormal shape. Lead acetate, an ingredient in some men’s hair dyes, has also been shown to lower sperm quality in animals, even at low to moderate levels.
What can you do? Read the ingredients on your products’ labels. Avoid lead acetate, phthalates and any product with the generic word “fragrance” and find safer alternatives using EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: www.ewg.org/skindeep/.
3. Plastic containers
Food containers, water bottles and the plastic ware you use for storing leftovers can contain chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into food and water. Much like phthalates, BPA has been shown to affect sperm in various ways, including lowering sperm counts, decreasing sperm vitality and impairing sperm movement.
What can you do? Use glass kitchenware instead of plastic. Reuse glass jars for storing food. If you have to use plastic containers, avoid those with recycling codes #3 (may contain BPA) and #7 (may contain phthalates).
4. Canned food
Metal cans are often lined with the endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA, which may contaminate the food inside. In addition to its associations with sperm quality, studies have shown that BPA may also affect a man’s sex drive. Scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Research Institute found that BPA-exposed workers were more likely to have diminished sexual drive, erectile and ejaculation difficulty and decreased satisfaction with their sex lives.
What can you do? Reduce consumption of food packaged in cans and buy and cook fresh ingredients. Instead of canned soup, try making your own with fresh vegetables, meat, broth and spices. Some BPA-free canned food is also available, so look for those labels on store shelves. For more BPA tips, visit: https://www.ewg.org/bpa/.
5. Cell phone radiation
The question of whether cell phone radiation may be harmful remains controversial, but there are now more than 10 studies suggesting that it can affect sperm quality. Both laboratory and real-world tests have shown that cell phone radiation can affect sperm count, movement, structure, appearance and viability, and it may also even damage DNA. With those findings, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What can you do? You don’t need to stop using your cell phone to protect your sperm. Since radiation levels decline sharply with distance, just keeping your phone out of your front pocket and away from your genitals will reduce your exposure tremendously. Carry your phone in your back pocket or in a bag or briefcase if you carry one. For more tips on reducing your cell phone radiation exposure, visit: www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation/.
6. Pesticides
A number of studies have found elevated rates of infertility among farm workers and agricultural communities exposed to high amounts of pesticides. Other researchers have found associations between pesticides such as atrazine and diazinon and poorer sperm quality, sperm abnormalities and impaired movement.
What can you do? Buy organic food as much as possible. Can’t always find it or afford it? Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides and Produce to find fruits and vegetables that have the lowest pesticide residues: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/. If you live in an agricultural community, check to see if pesticides have been detected in your water supply and purchase the appropriate water filter by using EWG’s Water Filter Buying Guide: https://www.ewg.org/report/ewgs-water-filter-buying-guide/.
Four surprising things that may raise prostate cancer risk
The prostate gland secretes the majority of seminal fluid, and cancers of the prostate are common in developed countries. It is the most common cancer among American men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lung cancer kills more men, but there are almost twice as many prostate cancer cases.
The causes of prostate cancer are unknown, but medical experts and researchers have identified many risk factors, including age, ethnicity, family history and obesity. A growing body of evidence is beginning to show that prostate cancer might be associated with environmental exposures as well.
Here are some key findings in recent decades linking chemical exposures and prostate cancer, and how you can reduce your risks:
1. Cadmium in tobacco
Tobacco leaves accumulate high levels of the heavy metal cadmium, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who smoke have twice as much cadmium exposure. Cadmium has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in human epidemiological studies. In laboratory studies, cadmium produced prostatic lesions in animals.
What can you do? Quitting smoking not only lowers your risk of lung cancer, respiratory and heart disease, it will also reduce your exposure to cadmium, potentially lowering your risk of prostate cancer.
2. Pesticides
Many occupational studies have shown that farmers who mix and apply pesticides on their crops have a much higher risk of developing prostate cancer. These large epidemiological studies have implicated a variety of organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides and herbicides, including malathion, 2,4-D, and carbaryl, that are still used in crop and at-home applications today.
What can you do? Buy organic food as much as possible. Can’t always find it or afford it? Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides and Produce to find fruits and vegetables that have the lowest pesticide residues: www.ewg.org/foodnews/. You may also want to avoid applying pesticides at home.
3. PCBs in animal fat
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), once used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications, have been linked to a number of health effects. Despite being banned more than three decades ago, they persist in the environment and people are still very much exposed to them. In human epidemiological studies, prostate cancer risk and mortality have been associated with heavy PCB exposure.
What can you do? PCBs typically accumulate in animal fatty tissues, especially in fish, and according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, most people are exposed through contaminated food. To reduce your exposure, choose leaner meats and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. A well-balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables will also reduce your exposure to any one dietary source of PCBs.
4. Bisphenol A (BPA)
A number of animal studies have shown that even at low exposures, BPA affects rat prostates, causing DNA damage and development of precancerous lesions. One study using human prostate cell lines has also shown DNA damage. The notorious endocrine-disrupting compound has also been shown to interfere with prostate cancer treatment in humans. Why this happens is not clear, but some prostate cancer therapies rely on mechanisms that block male androgen hormones. BPA, which has activity similar to the female hormone estrogen, may potentially interfere with these therapies by acting directly on prostate cells.
What can you do? Use glass kitchenware instead of plastic. Reuse old bottles and glass jars for storing food. If you have to use plastic containers, buy BPA-free and avoid those with recycling code #7, which may contain BPA. Since BPA is also common in the linings of canned food, look for cans that say they are BPA-free or choose fresh food over canned. For more tips, check out: www.ewg.org/bpa/.
Five surprising things that may increase heart disease risk
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in American men, accounting for about 25 percent of all deaths, according to the latest statistical data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consider that the next leading cause of death among men (at 24 percent) is all types of cancer together, heart disease is a major killer.
While many men are probably familiar with common risk factors for heart disease such as age, family history, smoking, poor diet, high blood pressure (hypertension) and high blood cholesterol, fewer are aware of mounting science linking increased cholesterol levels and heart disease to chemical exposures.
Here are some of the recent findings:
1. Fish high in mercury
Men with heart disease or at risk of it are encouraged to eat fish because the omega 3 fatty acids they contain reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. However, some seafood contains high amounts of mercury. Research suggests that mercury exposure may be associated with cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and an elevated risk of heart attacks.
What can you do? In order to take advantage of the benefits of fish consumption without the mercury risks, avoid seafood with the highest levels of mercury, such as shark, swordfish and tuna steaks. Fish with lots of heart-healthy fatty acids and low mercury include wild salmon and farmed trout.
2. Teflon chemicals
Non-stick coated cookware, certain kinds of food packaging and stain-resistant coatings are often made from compounds called perfluorochemicals. The most notorious and well studied of these is a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which was once used to make Teflon among other common products. Epidemiological studies involving people exposed either on the job or from contaminated drinking water have linked PFOA to increased cholesterol levels. While PFOA is in the process of being phased out, it may be present in older products, and concerns have been raised that replacement perfluorochemicals may have similar health effects.
What can you do? Use cast iron, glass or other uncoated cookware instead of non-stick pans. Make your own popcorn instead of using the microwave variety. Skip the stain resistant coatings, if possible, when buying carpets, furniture and clothing.
3. Rice-based products
Two recent reports by the federal Food and Drug Administration and Consumer Reports magazine found that many rice products have high levels of inorganic arsenic. Not only is arsenic a carcinogen, it may also be associated with increased blood pressure, according to epidemiological studies of populations that have high arsenic exposures. While rice isn’t the only source of arsenic in people’s diets, the levels in rice can be significant.
What can you do? The best way to lower your arsenic exposure from rice is to eat a varied diet and try other grains such as quinoa, barley, couscous and wheat. When eating brown rice, boil it with a lot of water, as some evidence suggests that can lower arsenic levels. Find out more at: www.ewg.org/release/reducing-arsenic-your-diet/.
4. Tap water
Two common drinking water contaminants, arsenic and lead, have been linked to high blood pressure in scientific studies. Arsenic is a common, naturally occurring drinking water contaminant, and lead leaches from older, corroding plumbing. Water is not the only way people are exposed to these contaminants, but it can be one of the easiest exposure routes to do something about.
What can you do? A good water filter can reduce levels of arsenic and lead in drinking water, but doing your homework is important since not all filters are created equal. For help finding one that will reduce these contaminants and not break the bank, check out EWG’s Water Filter Buying Guide: www.ewg.org/report/ewgs-water-filter-buying-guide/.
5. Bisphenol A (BPA)
While early research focused on BPA’s potential effects on reproductive health, a number of recent scientific studies have found that adults with higher BPA exposure have more cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease. BPA has been banned in certain products such as baby bottles and infant formula packaging, but it is still quite common in other consumer products.
What can you do? Use glass dishes to store and heat your leftovers. Reuse old bottles and glass jars for storing food. If you have to use plastic containers, avoid ones with recycling code #7, because they may contain BPA. Since BPA is also common in the linings of canned food, look for cans that say they are BPA-free or choose fresh food instead. For more tips, check out: www.ewg.org/bpa/.
Skin Cancer: Why Men Should be More Concerned than Women
When you think of men’s health risks, skin cancer probably isn’t at the top of the list. But it should be. Skin cancer is incredibly common, and the rates of the deadliest form, melanoma, are rising – for reasons scientists don’t totally understand. Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with melanoma and much more likely to die of it. Which means that men need to do more to protect themselves from the sun. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in American men, and the rate of new cases is rising.
More than 2 million Americans develop skin cancer each year. Most cases involve one of two disfiguring but rarely fatal forms – basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma, is also common, afflicting 24.6 per 100,000 men between 2006 and 2010, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This makes melanoma the fifth most common cancer among men in the U.S. This hasn’t always been the case. According to the National Cancer Institute, over the past 35 years the rate of new melanoma cases among American adults has tripled. The reason for these trends is elusive, as are strategies for preventing this deadly cancer, but you can control some risk factors.
2. Men are much more likely than women to die of melanoma
Melanoma is significantly more common in men than women: the American Cancer Society estimates that 45,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in U.S. men in 2013, compared to 31,600 in women – about a 42 percent higher incidence. What’s even more dramatic, and troubling, is the difference in deaths. Almost twice as many men die of melanoma every year: 6,280 men vs. 3,200 women in 2013. The mortality rate in men, unfortunately, has only been increasing: from 2.6 deaths per 100,000 in 1975 to 4.1 per 100,000 in 2010. Melanoma is one of only three cancers with a rising mortality rate for men.
3. Skin cancer awareness and prevention is lacking among men
In a recent analysis of government survey data, men were more likely than women to report having being sunburned in the previous year. Furthermore, according to a recent survey by the Skin Cancer Foundation, a shocking 70 percent of men do not know the warning signs of melanoma. More than half of those polled said they were unlikely to ask their doctor for a skin exam. The same survey also found that almost half of the male respondents said they had not used a sunscreen in the past year. And when they did, they most likely did not follow the guidelines for proper use. For instance, almost 80 percent did not know that they should apply a full ounce of sunscreen each time. Moreover, many men believe that one application a day is enough, even though the label directions call for reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or excessive sweating.
4. What you should do: Educate yourself about skin cancer, use proper sun protection and get checked out regularly by a dermatologist
The most important steps are to know the warning signs of skin cancer, check your skin regularly for new moles that are tender or growing, and ask your primary care doctor how often you should see a dermatologist. While the exact cause of melanoma is not known, researchers have established that the risk factors include family history, indoor tanning, the number of moles on a person’s skin, having fair skin or freckles, ultraviolet radiation and severe sunburn. You can control three of these risk factors: indoor tanning, exposure to UV radiation and sunburns. Reduce exposure by staying in shaded areas during the hours of most intense sunshine. When working outdoors, the best way to protect yourself is with clothing and hats. For exposed skin, use an effective sunscreen, make sure you apply the recommended amount and reapply as necessary. Don’t rely on sunscreen too much. Many sunscreens don’t protect you from all skin damage caused by UV radiation, and some studies have found that people who rely primarily on sunscreen for protection end up with more sunburns, which are a risk factor for melanoma.
