Prenatal exposure to air pollution may hurt reproductive health in adult men, study finds

Ingestion of particulate matter may shorten distance between anus and genitals in the womb, a sign of lower testosterone activity

In-utero exposure to common air pollutants may lower semen quality and increase the risk of reproductive system disease in men, new research finds.

The peer-reviewed Rutgers University study looked at whether exposure to particulate matter called 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide may shorten the distance between the anus and genitals, or the anogenital distance, in developing fetuses and newborns.