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DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS AND HUMAN SEMEN QUALITY
Impact/Purpose:
To evaluate potential associations between human exposure to DBPs in drinking water and adverse male reproductive effects as indicated by semen quality
Description:
This project, also called the Healthy Men Study will examine potential associations between human exposure to drinking water disinfection byproducts, particularly haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs), and male reproductive health as indicated by semen quality. Since rodent toxicology data has identified certain HAAs as testicular toxicants, the Office of Drinking Water is concerned about potential reproductive effects in humans and encouraged NHEERL to conduct an epidemiology study designed to address this concern. This prospective, three year study was initiated in 2002 and is funded through a Cooperative Agreement between EPA/ORD/NHEERL/RTD and the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology. Men who are partners of pregnant women in an ongoing pregnancy outcome study (also conducted by UNC but funded by AWWARF) are recruited into the study and asked to send a semen sample via overnight courier to the EPA lab for analysis. The comprehensive semen analysis includes routine measures of sperm count and morphology (shape) as well as specialized tests for sperm maturity, genomic integrity and fertility based on measurement of a novel sperm biomarker SP22. Approximately 240 men are being enrolled from three study sites that differ with respect to the levels of THMs and HAAs in the municipal drinking water which is monitored weekly during the study period. Telephone interviews are used to obtain detailed information on personal exposure (drinking water consumption, bathing habits) and other factors that may impact semen quality (diet, occupation, smoking and drinking habits, and medical and reproductive history). The results of this study, expected in 2005, will be useful to the Office of Water in its review of the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule.