Pollution in Indian Cities Linked to Declining Fertility and Reproductive Health Issues

Urban pollution in India, stemming from vehicle fumes, construction, and industrial emissions, is increasingly linked to declining fertility. Airborne pollutants cause oxidative stress, negatively impacting egg and sperm quality. Additionally, endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and pesticides found in plastics, pesticides, and cosmetics interfere with reproductive hormones, leading to issues such as irregular ovulation, reduced sperm production, and difficulties in maintaining pregnancy. Microplastics are also found in reproductive organs, posing a further threat.