According to research published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, exposure to organophosphate (OP) insecticides, such as chlorpyrifos, may contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.

“Among environmental contaminants, organophosphate (OP) insecticides represent one of the largest chemical classes, and chlorpyrifos is the most commonly used OP in the U.S. OP exposure has been implicated in driving biological processes, including inflammation, reactive oxygen species production, and endocrine and metabolism disruption, which have been demonstrated to adversely affect the hypothalamus and testes and may contribute to ED. Currently, studies evaluating the association between OPs and ED within the U.S. general population are sparse,” a study published in August 2023 read.

“The results of our study suggest a potential role for chlorpyrifos and other OPs the pathogenesis of ED. Future studies are warranted to validate these findings, determine clinical significance, and to investigate potential mechanisms underlying these associations,” the study’s conclusion stated.

According to Beyond Pesticides, ED is increasing among men on a global scale.

Beyond Pesticides writes:

Globally, ED is increasing, with over 300 million men expected to have ED by 2025. Although age and comorbid conditions (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and hypertension) play a role in ED prognosis, studies, including this one, suggest environmental contaminant exposure can also explain the increasing trend in ED. The study notes, “Future studies are warranted to corroborate these findings, determine clinical significance, and to investigate biological mechanisms underlying these associations.”

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers investigated urinary levels of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a metabolite of the most common OP insecticide chlorpyrifos. Researchers compared urinary levels to patients who experienced ED, responding to a questionnaire indicating if the individuals were “sometimes able” or “never able” to achieve an erection. A linear and logistic regression compared sociodemographic variables between chlorpyrifos exposure to identify risk factors for exposure and ED and analyze the relationship between TCPy and ED. Of the 671 male patients in the study, about 37 percent have ED, with smoking, diabetes, aging, identifying as Mexican–American, and physical inactivity having the highest association with ED prevalence. However, the study highlights the increased odds of ED among individuals exposed to chlorpyrifos, with the risk of ED rising with increased exposure to the chemical.

The presence of pesticides in the body has implications for human health, especially during vulnerable life stages, such as childhood, puberty, pregnancy, and old age. For instance, prepubescent exposure to pesticides can impair male reproduction through the interruption of testicular homeostasis and the development of reproductive Leydig cells and can have multigenerational effects. Furthermore, pesticide pollutants in groundwater, soils, household products, and chemical manufacturing by-products are on a growing list of culprits causing developmental abnormalities such as impaired sperm quality and impotence. Reproductive health can be compromised if males are exposed at various times in life, spanning from in utero up to adulthood. Erectile dysfunction is reported in one-third of the U.S. male population and has links to chemicals in the environment. Vinclozolin, a fungicide commonly used in agriculture, can contaminate food and water supplies, and laboratory tests found that some male offspring of animals exposed to vinclozolin during pregnancy displayed a complete lack of interest in females.

The research cited in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation is reportedly one of the first studies to analyze the relationship between specific OPs and ED.

This study primarily focused on chlorpyrifos exposure.

“Despite the findings of this study and many other related to health effects from chlorpyrifos exposure, the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals vacated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2021 decision to cancel all food tolerances for chlorpyrifos,” Beyond Pesticides noted.

From 100 Percent Fed Up:

A federal appeals court removed an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ban on an insecticide linked to nervous system damage.

“The decision from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to send the rule back to the agency does not preclude the agency from reinstating the ban in the future,” The Hill reports.

“But it said the EPA needs to give greater consideration to whether there are cases where the pesticide, called chlorpyrifos, could be used safely,” the outlet added.

“On April 29, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered EPA to issue a final rule concerning the chlorpyrifos tolerances by August 20, 2021,” the Federal Register states.

“Based on the currently available data and taking into consideration the currently registered uses for chlorpyrifos, EPA is unable to conclude that the risk from aggregate exposure from the use of chlorpyrifos meets the safety standard of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Accordingly, EPA is revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos,” it added.

The tolerances for all commodities expired on February 28, 2022.

EPA Ban On Insecticide Linked To Nervous System Damage Removed By Federal Appeals Court

 

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