DDT affects male fertility?

The Durban Mercury reports:

South African medical researchers have reported alarming evidence of low sperm counts and other damage to the male reproductive system linked to the use of the pesticide DDT in anti-malaria spray campaigns.

Professor Tiaan de Jager, project leader and co-author of the study, told The Mercury on Wednesday that there was now sufficient evidence for the department of health to be concerned about the health impacts of DDT and to consider moving towards safer alternative methods for malaria control.

De Jager and fellow researchers from the University of Pretoria's School of Health Systems and Public Health, found "very high levels" of DDT and its breakdown product, DDE, in the blood samples of men in Limpopo province during a two-year sampling study, which is still continuing.

They also collected and analysed semen samples from 311 men aged between 18 and 40 years in the Thoyohandou/Vhembe area of Limpopo.

Laboratory analysis showed abnormally low sperm counts, lower semen volumes, slower-moving sperm and fewer viable sperm.

The researchers said there was mounting evidence from around the world that DDT acted as an endocrine-disrupting substance, which altered the normal human hormone balance, lowered testosterone levels and possibly interfered with sexual accessory organs such as the seminal vesicle and prostate gland.

The study was published in the Journal of Andrology and is available here.

Obviously getting malaria is much worse for your health than exposure to DDT, so this is not a reason to stop spraying with DDT but to consider alternative insecticides.