This cross-sectional survey of shipyard painters (73) and unexposed clerks and draftsmen (40) included analyses of semen samples for pH, volume, turbidity, liquidity, viability, sperm density, count per ejaculate, motility, morphology and morphometry. An industrial hygiene survey was conducted as part of the investigation. The authors conclude that 'exposure to ethylene glycol ethers 2-ethoxythanol and 2-methoxyethanol lowered sperm count in this group of painters'. This conclusion is not warranted due to the following study deficiencies: (1) unjustified attribution of findings to ethylene glycol ethers; (2) evidence of statistical weaknesses; (3) very low participation rats and a non-comparable control group and inconsistency of findings.