Pesticide reduces male hormones

28 March 2000



Pesticide reduces male hormones

MALE hormone levels are being reduced by a commonly used pesticide, warn scientists.

Levels of male hormone testosterone were found to be lowered by a chemical found in methoxychlor, which was introduced 30 years ago to replace DDT as a crop spray.

The New York team working for the US government found that HPTE, a by-product of methoxychlor, significantly reduced male hormone levels in rats.

Men are advised to wash fruit and vegetables well, or switch to organic produce, reports the Daily Mail.

• Daily Mail 28/03/2000 page 48