The result of the extra estrogens, along with four other factors, is affecting a population of men who haven’t grown up, says Sax. He cites some interesting studies. One looks at men in the age group of 35 to 40. Normally, men this age are married. In fact, only 25 years ago, only 8 percent of American men in this age group had never married. But as of 2006 that 8 percent had nearly tripled. It was up to 22 percent and still rising rapidly. (He cites Eduardo Porter and Michelle O’Donnell, “Facing Middle Age with No Degree and No Wife,” New York Times, Aug. 6, 2006.)

The proportion of men aged 18-35 living at home with parents or relatives has doubled in the last 30 years. Meanwhile 36 percent of babies in the United States in 2004 were born to unmarried women. These statistics cut across all demographic groups.

According to The Green Guide, an online magazine, a growing number of scientists are uncovering evidence of harm from BPA. They are finding links to diabetes, infertility, cancer, and childhood hyperactivity, for a total of 104 independent studies showing bad effects from BPA. At the same time, there are 11 studies, paid for by the industry, which show no harmful effects. The FDA is choosing to side with the industry on the controversial issue and is allowing use of BPA.

But the EWG study team discovered significant levels of exposure to four toxins, in reviewing EPA data. It found that dacthal, a herbicide, contaminated water served to 486,000 people in six states. In addition the study found significant exposures to aldrin, a neurotoxic form of dieldrin, and to soil fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene.

The Environmental Working Group of Washington, DC, purchased 10 bottled water brands in nine states and the District of Columbia. A lab found traces of 38 pollutants, averaging eight pollutants per brand. In addition, four of the brands showed bacterial contamination (http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater).

“High” exposure to byproducts of chlorination consisted of trihalomethanes measured at a level above 20 ig/L. Exposure at this high level increased the risk of these birth defects from 50 to 100 percent as compared with the “low” level below 5 ig/L.