A new scientific study has raised fresh concerns over the long-term health effects of gasoline fumes, revealing that chronic inhalation may significantly impair male reproductive function and transmit adverse effects across generations.
The study, titled “Gasoline Inhalation Inhibits Reproductive Function in Male Wistar Rats: A Transgenerational Study”, was published in the March edition of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Bio Medical Science.
Conducted by researchers from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, the study examined the impact of prolonged gasoline exposure on hormone levels and sperm quality using Wistar rats as experimental models.
The research team, led by Elile Peace Okpara, exposed male and female rats to varying concentrations of gasoline fumes over an extended period.
The exposure lasted 14 weeks for the parent generation and continued for 16 weeks in the first generation, covering mating, pregnancy, lactation, and the weaning of a second generation.
To assess the effects, blood samples were collected to analyse reproductive hormone profiles, while semen analysis was conducted to evaluate sperm parameters.
Findings from the study showed a significant and progressive decline in testosterone levels among exposed groups, with higher exposure linked to more severe reductions.
The decline was even more pronounced in the first generation of offspring, indicating a compounding effect across generations.
The study also recorded notable disruptions in other key reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), with varying patterns observed between the parent and offspring generations.
In addition, all measured sperm parameters deteriorated significantly among exposed rats, with the severity increasing in line with the level and duration of exposure.
Importantly, the researchers found evidence of intergenerational effects, as reproductive impairments were not only present in the parent rats but were also observed, and in some cases worsened, in their offspring.
Lead author Elile Peace Okpara and the team noted that the findings are particularly relevant in regions such as the Niger Delta, where exposure to petrol fumes is widespread due to occupational and environmental factors.
According to the study, long-term exposure to gasoline fumes could trigger hormonal imbalances and physiological changes that disrupt reproductive function, with potential long-term consequences across generations.
The researchers warned that such exposure could pose significant risks to individuals who are frequently in contact with petrol vapours, including workers in fuel-related industries.
They called for increased awareness, better safety measures to protect people who are often exposed to petrol fumes, especially in workplaces, and further research to better understand the risks to human health.
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