Sperm Affected by Pollution

Canadian researchers conducting experiments with mice determined particulate air pollutants are a likely culprit for sperm mutations. A control group of mice experienced HEPA filtered air during the 10 week trial, while another group was exposed to steel mill and highway exhaust just outside of Ontario. Researchers found DNA was damaged in the sperm but "recovered" after returning the mice to the lab environment. Particular mutations within the sperm were accelerated, however, leading to the conclusion that inheritable mutations are possible when conditions (such as pollution) cause enough DNA alterations.