Excessive mobile phone usage linked to reduced sperm count, research suggests

Male sperm count has declined by over 50% worldwide in the past half-century, prompting researchers to investigate potential causes. Could factors such as pollution, PFAS and other toxins found in our food and water, the rise in obesity and chronic illnesses, or even the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones play a role?

A man poses with an Apple iPhone 12 in a mobile phone store in Nantes, France, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

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Apple is set to release an update for the iPhone 12 in France due to sales being temporarily halted over concerns regarding radiation levels. A recent study delved into the impact of cell phone usage, specifically focusing on men aged 18 to 22. The study revealed that those who reported using their phones more than 20 times a day had a 21% increased risk of experiencing low overall sperm count. Additionally, these men were found to have a 30% higher risk of low sperm concentration, which measures the amount of sperm in a milliliter of semen. However, the study did not specify whether the men primarily made calls, sent text messages, or utilized various functions on their phones.

The study revealed that the advancement in phone technology over the course of 13 years resulted in a decrease in the negative impact on sperm count. Allan Pacey, deputy vice president and deputy dean at the University of Manchester, expressed his curiosity about the finding, particularly noting that older 2G and 3G phones seemed to have a greater effect compared to modern 4G and 5G versions. Pacey, however, did not participate in the study.

Furthermore, the study found that there was no decrease observed in the sperm's shape and motility, which pertains to the manner in which the sperm navigate towards their intended target. Alison Campbell, the chief scientific officer of Care Fertility, a consortium of fertility clinics, emphasized the significance of not only the quantity of sperm, but also their ability to swim effectively, possess undamaged DNA, and exhibit proper morphology.

Mobile phones have become an essential aspect of our daily lives. Nevertheless, cell phones emit low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, also known as RF-EMF. According to the study, if these cell phones emit at their maximum power, the surrounding tissue can experience a temperature increase of up to 0.5 degrees Celsius or approximately 33 degrees Fahrenheit.

In January 1932, a photograph was taken at the Ingersoll Watch and Clock Factory in the United Kingdom. The photo, captured by Cardew, portrays women painting alarm clock faces using luminous paint. During the 1920s, the use of Radium 226 for clock and watch dial luminosity became popular, although the serious health risks associated with radium were not fully understood at the time. To achieve a finer point, workers often licked the paintbrush, unknowingly ingesting the radium. This resulted in radium poisoning, causing bone cancer and fatalities particularly among the young, female workforce. The use of radium in clocks and watches was eventually banned in the UK through the Radioactive Substances Act of 1960, which was enforced in 1963. The photograph is part of the Daily Herald Archive, a significant collection of over three million photographs capturing moments of international, national, and local importance, taken by both staff and agency photographers.

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According to Dr. Alexander Pastuszak, an assistant professor of surgery and urology at The University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, cell phones are always transmitting and receiving signals, which become more powerful during usage. He further explains that the strength of these signals varies depending on whether one is engaged in a call or sending data. Pastuszak, who was not part of the study, emphasizes the influence of modern cell phone technology on signal strength.

According to the California Department of Public Health, radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are significantly decreased when texting and reach their highest levels when downloading large files or streaming audio or video. Additionally, the exposure is greater when the phone has only one or two bars of signal and when it is used in a fast-moving vehicle like a bus, car, or train.

To minimize exposure, the agency suggests keeping the phone away from the body and head. Instead, they recommend utilizing the speakerphone or headphones for communication. Additionally, the agency advises carrying the phone in a backpack, briefcase, or purse.

The impact of those fields on male fertility has long been a subject of dispute among scientists. Research conducted on mice indicates that RF-EMF fields, comparable to those emitted by cell phones, can reduce male fertility, cause sperm mortality, and lead to alterations in testicular tissue. Yet, the effects observed in mice have not been consistently replicated in other animal studies, and it is important to consider the significant differences between humans and mice in terms of sperm development.

Observational studies in humans have also indicated a correlation between frequent mobile phone use and decreased sperm viability, as well as an influence on sperm motility. However, these studies were limited in size and duration and did not adequately account for confounding factors like smoking and alcohol consumption, which has left numerous scientists unimpressed.

To minimize the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on male fertility, it is advised by the California Department of Public Health to keep smartphones at a distance from the body and head, and instead, carry them in a backpack or briefcase.

Pacey said he has been frequently asked about the connection between mobile phones and male fertility in the past ten years. Nonetheless, he has not been convinced by the existing data on this topic.

He mentioned that this study is a significant advancement in the ongoing discussion, as it is a well-conducted large-scale epidemiological study conducted in real-world conditions. However, he added a note of caution, stating that the findings only demonstrate an association between mobile phone use and semen quality, and thus should be interpreted with care.

Young servicemen had the option of keeping their mobile phones in various places such as trouser pockets, breast pockets, belt carriers, or elsewhere. However, it was observed that more than 85% of them preferred to store their phones in their pants pockets when they were not being used.

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Results indicated that men who utilized their phones on a limited basis, either one to five times per day or less than once a week, exhibited significantly higher sperm counts and concentration. Conversely, as cell phone usage intensified, sperm count diminished, reaching its lowest levels among men who utilized their phones 20 times or more per day.

Additionally, researchers assessed the impact of cell phone usage over various time periods. The strongest correlation between low sperm count and concentration and phone use occurred between 2005 and 2007. However, as companies transitioned from 2G to 5G technology, the association weakened, aligning with the "corresponding decrease in the phones' output power," as stated in the study.

As a specialist in infertility, Pastuszak emphasizes the intricate interplay of various factors that contribute to infertility, with sperm count and concentration being relatively minor contributors.