Husband job affect sperm/fetal development

purple_rose1986

I tried to research this and I couldn't find anything. My husband works on restoring cars. He wears a mask because of all the sanding and paint but I'm not only worried about his health but the health of his sperm/fetal growth. I know woman can't breath in chemicals when their pregnant, but not sure how it affects the man when we are trying to conceive. Any one could shed some light on this would be great. thanks!

AlohaKumu

purple_rose1986 said:

I tried to research this and I couldn't find anything. My husband works on restoring cars. He wears a mask because of all the sanding and paint but I'm not only worried about his health but the health of his sperm/fetal growth. I know woman can't breath in chemicals when their pregnant, but not sure how it affects the man when we are trying to conceive. Any one could shed some light on this would be great. thanks!

I find it somewhat surprising that you couldn't find a single article or study that discusses this issue. I suggest a Google search for something like "chemicals sperm quality."
I found this: Chemicals in the environment and human male fertility
And this: Are Your Sperm in Trouble?
And this: Infertility in Men
...just on the first page of a Google search.

So yes, prolonged exposure to chemicals and other environmental toxins could have a huge impact on sperm quantity and quality.

purple_rose1986

AlohaKumu said:

purple_rose1986 said:

I tried to research this and I couldn't find anything. My husband works on restoring cars. He wears a mask because of all the sanding and paint but I'm not only worried about his health but the health of his sperm/fetal growth. I know woman can't breath in chemicals when their pregnant, but not sure how it affects the man when we are trying to conceive. Any one could shed some light on this would be great. thanks!

I find it somewhat surprising that you couldn't find a single article or study that discusses this issue. I suggest a Google search for something like "chemicals sperm quality."
I found this: Chemicals in the environment and human male fertility
And this: Are Your Sperm in Trouble?
And this: Infertility in Men
...just on the first page of a Google search.

So yes, prolonged exposure to chemicals and other environmental toxins could have a huge impact on sperm quantity and quality.

I guess I should have been a bit more specific. I realize that there have been many research trails about what could affect fertility. These articles don't specify chemicals inhaled in paint/car restoration. Now, if someone looks hard enough they could probably find a problem with almost anything we use on a daily basis. However, I didn't know if anyone had any helpful first hand experience. I'm just trying to cover all our basis, I know ttc will probably be a long journey for us and I just want try to increase our chances or stop any foreseen problems.

becausescience

@AlohaKumu gave you some good places to start, you could add in "paint" to the search. Or, you know, ask a doctor. 

If you're concerned about sperm quality you could get a SA done.

doxiemoxie212

Is this something your husband has the option to stop doing?

[Deleted User]

If you're concerned you could definitely just have him do a semen analysis.  They are usually pretty cheap.

Environmental toxins can definitely cause problems, but sometimes it's not drastic enough to end up affecting fertility in a significant way.  If you two have been TTC for a while and nothing happens I'd say an SA wouldn't be a crazy thing to do.

JennyColada

purple_rose1986 said:

*snip*

However, I didn't know if anyone had any helpful first hand experience.

Unfortunately you won't get too much of that here, as most of us are TTC our first, so most of us won't have first hand experience on anything that affects fetal development.

jrm_14

I believe most workplaces require an MSDS sheet when employees are potentially exposed to toxins.  Your husband should have access to this giant, hard to interpret binder of information.  If this is a hobby, talk to your doctor.  Oh, and if it isn't a hobby, still talk to,your doctor.  I wouldn't take the word of internet strangers as if something may or may not impact my husband's swimmers.  

purplepelican

If you haven't already done this, you could always ask your husband the names of the specific chemicals he works with (presumably he knows the names) and use that to narrow your google searches. 

vflux33

@purple_rose1986 MH works with chemicals known to cause reproductive harm to both men and women (not in car restoration though). We're pretty freaked out about it. He wears a giant mask whenever he does lab work. We saw no evidence of harm to his sperm in either his SA or sperm wash sample for our IUI, but we could have just gotten lucky (or maybe it has some effect the SA couldn't detect in which case we're screwed and just don't know it yet). I agree with PPs that finding out the exact chemicals from him and researching those specifically is a good idea. In the meantime, tell him to keep his mask on, and make sure it's a good mask. 

purplepelican

purple_rose1986 said

I know ttc will probably be a long journey for us and I just want try to increase our chances or stop any foreseen problems.

Just curious why you think TTC will be a long journey. Do you have a known fertility issue (for example PCOS or advanced maternal age)? Do you have irregular cycles that make you suspect a problem? If none of that is true (and if there turn out to be no problems with your husband's sperm - get a semen analysis before you start TTC since he works with chemicals), then there's no reason to worry yet that you will have problems conceiving.

KristoKekerooni

I second the point about SDSs. All workplaces are required to have them. Once you located the SDS, look under section 7 for further details on how to stay hygienic around the chemicals. (Section 8 gives a more in-depth look at protective measures and protection he could use. )
And finally, section 11 provides in depth details about toxicology. That will explain test run, and what doses are present. It lists "Potential chronic health effects" and fertility is one listed that there must be a response to.

For your purposes, I would look mostly at section 7 and section 11 and ignore the rest. 

I also say an SA never hurts. It's easy and pretty cheap. But really, don't borrow trouble if you don't have to. Don't jump the gun on running around with fertility appointments if you don't have to. 

KristoKekerooni

PS, not that I am any indication, really, since I am not a dude and I am also not pregnant, but as far as we can tell, I am a picture perfect, fertile woman. I am a chemist, even working with chemicals that are known to cause issues, but with the proper protection and diligence, I keep myself safe. This is an area that you just can't be lazy with. 
There are literally hundreds of different types of PPE (personal protective equipment) out there. What works for one chemical won't necessarily work for the next. He does need to make sure he has the proper protection for what he is doing, specifically. Not just for reproductive health, but for overall health as well. 


Edit to add before I get side-eyed. yes, if I ever get pregnant, I will stop working in the lab. I do take the minute "risk" right now, with my PPE, but with pregnancy I will completely step away. But I can't step away from my career for a "maybe" right now... considering this "maybe" has been almost three years in the making so far...