Chemical Pollution Driving Men’s Health Crisis – Stronger EU Action Needed – Pressenza – International Press Agency

Report on Chemical Pollution and Men’s Health in Europe: An SDG Perspective

Executive Summary

A report commissioned by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) reveals a significant men’s health crisis in Europe, directly linked to widespread chemical pollution. Rising rates of cancer and infertility, coupled with substantial economic costs, are undermining progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The findings underscore an urgent need for robust policy action, such as the REACH revision, to mitigate chemical exposure and safeguard public health for current and future generations.

Threats to Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

The report documents alarming health trends that directly challenge the targets of SDG 3. The increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases and reproductive health issues is driven by environmental factors that require immediate attention.

Key Health Indicators

• Prostate Cancer: Now the third most common cancer in men, with 330,000 new cases annually. This trend impedes progress on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
• Testicular Cancer: Incidence has increased by 25% since 2014, affecting a younger demographic and highlighting a failure to protect population health.
• Male Infertility: Affecting up to one in twelve couples, this issue directly relates to SDG 3’s targets on reproductive healthcare services.
• Sperm Count Decline: A 52% reduction since 1973 indicates a severe, long-term impact on population-level reproductive health.

Economic Burden on Health Systems

The financial impact of these health issues presents a major obstacle to sustainable development and universal health coverage.

1. The total estimated health costs exceed €15 billion annually.
2. Prostate cancer treatment alone accounts for €9 billion in annual costs.
3. Infertility treatments cost between €3 and €4.5 billion per year.

Environmental Failures: A Challenge to SDG 6 and SDG 12

The crisis is fueled by inadequate management of hazardous chemicals, reflecting a failure to achieve responsible production and consumption patterns (SDG 12) and ensure access to clean, uncontaminated resources (SDG 6).

Sources of Chemical Contamination

Mounting evidence links the health crisis to pervasive exposure to harmful substances, including:

• Phthalates
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Pesticides
• Microplastics (now detected in human testicular tissue)

Geographic Evidence of Pollution

Case studies across Europe demonstrate the link between environmental contamination and negative health outcomes, undermining the goal of providing a safe and healthy environment for all citizens.

• Denmark: Reports the most severe decline in sperm quality in Europe and has high rates of testicular and prostate cancer, linked to widespread exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PFAS.
• Sweden: PFAS-contaminated water has been linked to adverse health effects, highlighting a direct challenge to SDG 6.
• France: Agricultural regions show links between pesticide exposure and higher cancer rates.
• Poland and Italy: Industrial pollution in regions like Silesia and the Po Valley is associated with increased cancer incidence.

Policy Imperatives for a Sustainable Future

Experts cited in the report call for decisive policy action to align with scientific evidence and achieve sustainable health outcomes. The intergenerational impact of parental chemical exposure makes this a critical issue for long-term sustainable development.

Recommendations for Action

1. Strengthen Chemical Regulations: The upcoming REACH revision is a pivotal opportunity for the EU to implement science-based policies that restrict harmful chemicals, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 3 and SDG 12.
2. Implement Public Health Plans: Fully implementing frameworks like Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is essential to prevent disease and reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens.
3. Protect Future Generations: Given that parental chemical exposure is associated with adverse health effects in offspring, preventative action is crucial for ensuring the well-being of future generations, a core principle of the SDGs.

Expert Consensus

Dr. Rossella Cannarella emphasized the unique sensitivity of the male reproductive system to chemical exposures. Dr. Wolfgang Fecke of the Association of European Cancer Leagues stated, “The scientific evidence is clear — harmful chemicals like PFAS pose significant risk for cancer.” HEAL’s Executive Director, Génon K. Jensen, concluded that the REACH revision offers a “unique opportunity to prevent disease, boost reproductive health, and ensure the well-being of future generations.”

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article’s central theme is the “growing men’s health crisis in Europe,” directly linking chemical pollution to severe health issues. It details the rise of non-communicable diseases like prostate and testicular cancer, and reproductive health problems such as infertility and declining sperm counts. The financial burden of these health issues, estimated at over “€15 billion annually,” further emphasizes the impact on well-being and healthcare systems, aligning perfectly with the core objectives of SDG 3.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The root cause of the health crisis, as identified in the article, is “chemical pollution” from substances like “phthalates, PFAS, pesticides and microplastics.” These chemicals are by-products of industrial processes and consumer goods. The article calls for urgent policy action, specifically mentioning the “upcoming REACH revision,” which is a European regulation aimed at the environmentally sound management of chemicals. This focus on managing the entire life cycle of chemicals to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment connects directly to the principles of sustainable production and consumption outlined in SDG 12.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article directly addresses this target by highlighting the alarming increase in non-communicable diseases. It states that “Prostate cancer is now the 3rd most common cancer in men” and “Testicular cancer has increased by 25% since 2014.” The call to “prevent cancer and protect the health of future generations” through policy action is a clear call for prevention as stipulated in this target.
2. Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
   • The report’s focus on rising “male infertility,” which “affects up to one in twelve couples,” and the dramatic “52% decline in sperm counts since 1973” directly relates to reproductive health. The article underscores the vulnerability of the “male reproductive system” and the need to “boost reproductive health,” aligning with the goals of this target.
3. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • This target is central to the article’s argument. The entire report is based on the premise that “chemical pollution is fuelling a growing men’s health crisis.” It explicitly names “hazardous chemicals” like phthalates, PFAS, and pesticides as the cause of cancers and infertility, and points to contaminated environments such as “PFAS contaminated water in Sweden” and “industrial pollution in Poland’s Silesia region.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • The article’s call for a “REACH revision” is a direct appeal to improve the management of chemicals. It criticizes the fact that harmful chemicals are “still too prevalent and increasing in our daily environment.” The evidence of “widespread contamination across all age groups” and the detection of “microplastics in human testicular tissue” demonstrates a failure to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals, making this target highly relevant.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. For Target 3.4 (Non-communicable diseases):
   • Cancer Incidence Rate: The article provides specific data points that can serve as indicators, such as “330,000 new cases [of prostate cancer] annually” and the incidence rate of testicular cancer in Denmark (“10.8 per 100,000”). The statement that testicular cancer “has increased by 25% since 2014” is a direct measure of the trend.
2. For Target 3.7 (Reproductive health):
   • Infertility Prevalence: The statistic that “Male infertility affects up to one in twelve couples” serves as a direct indicator of reproductive health challenges.
   • Sperm Quality/Count: The article provides a clear, quantifiable indicator of declining reproductive health: “Sperm counts have declined by 52% since 1973” and the specific case of Denmark’s “22% drop in just three years (2019–2022).”
3. For Target 3.9 (Illnesses from hazardous chemicals):
   • Economic Cost of Health Impacts: The article implies the burden of illness through economic indicators, stating that “related health costs are estimated to exceed €15 billion annually.” This figure can be used to track the economic impact of illnesses linked to chemical pollution.
   • Presence of Chemicals in Humans: The mention that “Microplastics have been detected in human testicular tissue samples” is a direct biological indicator of human contamination by environmental pollutants.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. For Target 12.4 (Sound management of chemicals):
   • Level of Environmental Contamination: The article implies this indicator by describing “widespread contamination across all age groups” and specific instances like “PFAS contaminated water in Sweden” and “pesticide exposure in France’s agricultural regions.” Measuring the concentration of these chemicals in the environment and in human populations would be a direct way to track progress.
   • Strength of Chemical Regulations: The call to action regarding the “REACH revision” implies that the effectiveness and scope of chemical management policies can be used as an indicator of progress towards this target.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pressenza.com