Harmful Chemicals Harming Male Fertility in Africa
By: Amarachi Maduwuba. B.NSc, RN, RM. Health and Wellness Writer. Medically reviewed by M. Abrebese, MD.
An African man sitting outdoors on the bench feeling sad, a feeling that comes with infertility. Image credit: Freepik
A recent review has detailed progressive decline in sperm quality and morphology globally over the last several years, with implications for male fertility. According to the World Health Organization, almost 190 million people worldwide are affected by infertility, with over half of these cases due to male-related factors.
Infertility is more common in Africa, affecting about 20–35% people, especially in West, Central, and East Africa and most of these cases are caused by male related problems.
Exposure to harmful chemicals is one among the many causes of male infertility because of their effects in sperm quality.
African men are not free from the exposure to these harmful chemicals. They are constantly being exposed to these chemicals in their environment, work places and even through various lifestyle activities.
This makes it more than important to identify these chemicals and be aware of their harmful effects on their sperm quality and broader effect on fertility.
Anything becomes a toxin when it begins to harm your body. This also applies to a nutrient when it starts harming your body.
Harmful chemical toxins are substances that can cause damage to your body by interfering with biological processes. These chemicals can be naturally occurring or man-made, and exposure to them (especially in large amounts or over time) can lead to health problems such as cancer, organ failure, reproductive issues, neurological damage, or even death.
The effects of chemical toxins exposure on male fertility depends on the type of toxin, the amount of time of exposure, personal factors, and other co-factors.
Some common harmful chemical toxins that can lead to male infertility among African men can be categorised as follows:
Common food related toxins include
Food mycotoxins can contaminate Rice, an African staple food. Image credit: Freepik
It is estimated that more than 25% of the world’s farm produce is contaminated with mycotoxins.
You can be exposed to these harmful substances by eating contaminated crops or by eating animal products (like meat or milk) from animals that have eaten contaminated feed.
Mycotoxins especially aflatoxins are often found in poorly stored grains, which is prevalent in African diets. Common foods such as garri, beans, yam flour, cassava flour, melon seeds, rice, onion, maize, groundnuts, guinea corn, sorghum, and millets are usually contaminated with this chemical.
Plastic food containers that may contain bisphenol-A.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical often used to make certain plastics. It is commonly used in production of plastic food containers, water bottles, microwave-safe dishes, and other kitchen items.
Although banned from use in the production of baby bottles in 2011, BPA is still found in many plastic products that are in daily use globally. The risk of contamination rises when foods particularly those high in fat are stored in plastic containers at high temperatures for a long time.
They are used as stabilisers in making plastics which are in daily use globally. They get into your body when you eat food contaminated by them, or through inhalation and skin contact, or when you take drugs, especially intravenous medications.
Parabens are commonly used to preserve cosmetics, food, and medicines. Commonly used parabens include methylparaben (MP), propylparaben, and butylparaben.
Common environmental and occupational toxins that are harmful to humans, include:
An African farmer carrying a spraying container on his back and spraying pesticides on crops on a farm Image credit: Freepik
Pesticides include organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, phenylpyrazoles, and neonicotinoids. You can be exposed to them through ingestion of contaminated food, inhalation and skin contact.
They are chemicals mostly found in the environment because of their use in agriculture.
A collection of ring shaped heavy metal. Image credit: Freepik
Chronic exposure to heavy metals in the environment and in the workplace are common. Some heavy metals that can have harmful effects include lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.
The compounds are also collectively referred to as Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or "Forever chemicals", because they are difficult to breakdown and remove from the body. PFAS are mostly used in fire-fighting foams, hydraulic fluids for aircraft, waterproof textiles, and non-stick household cookware. Most of these things are used directly or indirectly by African men.
Dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals, for example, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are very toxic. They are mostly found in industrial waste, burning plastic and pesticides .
This material is used in many industrial and commercial products like transformers, capacitors, electronic devices, motor oil, and hydraulic oil.
Although banned, their effects are still present because of accumulations.
A colourful natural gas plant where there can be emission. Image credit: Freepik
The world is almost dependent on oil and gas for production of fuels, many other by-products and Africa is not left out. In fact in some African countries like Nigeria, oil and gas is mostly the main source of fuel. African men are mostly exposed to oil and gas during extraction, processing and manufacturing, as well as sales and use of the by-products.
Image showing air pollution from automobiles and garbage burning in an African city. Image credit
Air pollution is always a result of harmful chemicals from automobiles, burning waste and industrial emissions released into the atmosphere. They generate reactive oxygen species that affect sperm quality.
C. Consumer & Household Products
Common household cleaning products may contain endocrine disrupting chemicals
Toxins in common household products are grouped as:
Some of these compounds are naturally occurring (such as phytoestrogens), while some are synthetic chemicals that are released into the environment through human activity.
EDCs can be found in a variety of everyday products such as shampoos, clothing, toothpastes, soaps, textiles, carpets, linens, toys, deodorants, cosmetics and in implantable materials such as permanent makeup and body ink.
EDCs have also been found in farm and food products, as well as in the air and water.
Flame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to prevent them from catching fire easily or delay its spread. They are mostly used in the manufacture of furniture, electronics, mattresses and doors.
You can be exposed to them by ingestion of contaminated food, mainly fish and seafood, inhalation of dust, and skin contact.
Exposures or habits that can affect male fertility include:
From medical imaging, radiotherapy, or nuclear exposures. They can affect sperm quality by damaging sperm DNA.
Although its effects on sperm production is still under debate, some studies have shown that caffeine has negative effects on sperm quality. Caffeine is mostly found in tea, coffee and energy drinks.
Mostly used in cigarettes, cigars and snuffs, it also has effects on sperm quality, subsequently affecting male fertility. Its effects are mainly dose dependent. It means the higher you take them, the greater the effects on sperm quality.
These harmful chemicals lower sperm quality by:
1. Impairing sperm motility, concentration, count, volume, and structure at testicular level.
2. Damaging sperm DNA structure.
3. Affecting the male hormones that control the production of sperm.
4. Affecting the development and function of the male reproductive organs that produce sperm.
5. Predisposing to other health conditions like cancer that can affect male fertility.
Impaired sperm quality can lead to reproductive problems. Even after conception, it can still have an effect on the development of the child.
Some consequences of impaired sperm quality include:
Low sperm count, poor motility or abnormal structure decrease the chance of sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg. It often leads to total infertility or delayed pregnancy.
Damage to sperm DNA can lead to embryos with chromosomal problems. The embryo may fail to implant or stop growing. This can also increase the risk of early pregnancy loss.
Poor sperm quality is sometimes associated with genetic mutation. Some studies have shown that impaired sperm quality, especially due to paternal age and DNA damage is associated with higher risks of developmental or mental disorders in babies.
Severe sperm abnormalities can affect assisted reproduction. This can occur during fertilization, or even implantation.
Infertility can cause anxiety, depression, and can affect marital relationships. It can also make the man have poor self-esteem and lead to stigmatization especially in some African cultures where male fertility is tied to masculinity.
Poor sperm quality can sometimes signify underlying health conditions like hormonal imbalances, testicular dysfunction, infections, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome.
African men can reduce their exposure to harmful chemical toxins by adopting practical lifestyle, occupational, and environmental safety measures.
Some effective prevention strategies include:
Many African men work in agriculture, mining, construction, and industries where they are exposed to harmful chemicals.
They should:
Pesticides and herbicides are common in African farming and can cause long-term harm if used improperly. Farmers should
Contaminated water and food can contain heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial waste residues.
For prevention
Fake soaps, skin-lightening creams, and deodorants may contain mercury, lead, or hydroquinone.
Best way is to:
Burning plastics and cables release dioxins, heavy metals, and other toxins.
So:
Educate men about these harmful chemicals and safety. It will help them take better actions for their health.
Men should have periodic health check-ups especially those that work in places where chemical exposure risk is high, like in the chemical, dyes and tanning and oil and gas sectors.
Male infertility is rising, and harmful chemicals are a big reason. Many African men are exposed to these toxins daily at work, home, or through food. Understanding the risks and taking simple steps to reduce exposure can protect sperm health, boost fertility, and improve overall well-being.
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Related:
Male Infertility in Nigeria: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Published: July 23, 2025
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