by eric_b » Wed 17 Jan 2007, 01:35:23
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Benzin', 'I') must have missed it, but I didn't see any explanations as to why this was occurring? Also the study consisted of a small sample size, focused on a certain demographic in a specific area. I wouldn't completely discredit the study, nor would I put that much stock in it at the same time.
*smashes fist into wall.
That's the scary part, it's not really understood why this is happening - but it
is happening.
Certain classes of chemicals are now found everwhere in the environment - for example bisphenols and phthalates (used to soften plastics, which are ubiquitous in the environment). Apparently these molecules act as endocrine disrupters, and, paradoxically, the smaller the amount (parts-per-trillion quantities) the more damage they can cause. There's also the FACT that heavy metals, like mercury and lead, are now
far more common in the environment than they were just 100-200 years ago. Seem to recall reading somewhere 'modern' human skeletons now contain hundreds of times the amount of these elements than they used to. Large amounts of plastic trash are also found now found everywhere, including the oceans.
see:
LA times ocean piece
This reminds me of a short sci-fi piece - 'Screwfly solution' - where sterile males are purposely introduced to kill off the species.
{EDIT.. I also believe that, overall, fertility rates have been dropping, globally. }