The Impact of Biomass Smoke Exposure during Sperm Maturation on the Health of the Father and Their Offspring

Presentation for PIC 2024 meeting 74% of U.S. firefighters are reproductive age (20 – 49 y.o.; 2019) • 92% of U.S. firefighters are male (2019) • A decrease from 99% in the 1980s (Perroni et al. 2021, PLoS One) • Male reproductive tract may be particularly sensitive to exposures in this population • Testicular cancer may have one of the highest risk estimates of the cancers in firefighters (SRE = 2.02) (LeMasters et al. 2006, J Occup Environ Med) • Male Danish full-time firefighters have greater risks of infertility (Petersen et al. 2019, Am J Epi) • Firefighting was associated with reduced sperm quality in a recent pilot study (Engelsman et al. 2021, Reprod Fertil)

Impact/Purpose

Firefighting has been associated with both testicular and prostate cancer, highlighting the potential sensitivity of the male reproductive tract to the varied chemical exposures in this occupation. In addition to these direct impacts on the reproductive health of males, such exposures may affect the health of their offspring through the epigenetic modification of sperm. 

Citation

Miller, C. The Impact of Biomass Smoke Exposure during Sperm Maturation on the Health of the Father and Their Offspring. The 18th International Congress on Combustion Byproducts and Health, Durham, NC, May 20 - 22, 2024.