In conversation with Dr. Shanna Swan

Do you know that over the past several decades, sperm levels among men in Western countries have plummeted at an alarming rate, and more women under age 25 are reporting difficulty conceiving and maintaining pregnancies?

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As industrial chemical production has surged in recent decades, so have rates of infertility. This is not a coincidence.

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At Collab Fertility, we are committed to pioneering advancements in reproductive health. We are excited to introduce CLEAN, our latest initiative dedicated to advancing research on the impact of environmental toxins on fertility. By leveraging science, education, and policy change, we aim to improve fertility outcomes for families.  

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As part of this launch, we sat down for an exclusive interview with Dr. Shanna Swan, a world-renowned environmental and reproductive epidemiologist, and CLEAN Scientific Advisory Board member, to discuss her groundbreaking research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their alarming connection to declining fertility rates. In her latest interventional studies, she is working directly with individuals to address infertility—with remarkable success. The New York Times and globally popluar podcasts have featured Dr. Swan’s work—and now, she’s sharing her insights with us.

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A lifelong mission to understand environmental impacts on health

Dr. Swan’s journey into environmental health began with a statistical background that evolved into a passion for epidemiology and public health. Early in her career, she led a study investigating a miscarriage cluster in a California community exposed to leaked chemicals from a semiconductor plant. This pivotal moment sparked her decades-long work on how environmental exposures influence reproductive health.

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"I realized that these chemicals—endocrine disruptors—were interfering with reproductive function, yet the public, regulators, and even the medical community weren’t taking it seriously."

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The silent threat: How everyday chemicals harm reproductive health

One of the most concerning environmental toxins Dr. Swan has studied is phthalates—a class of chemicals commonly found in plastics, cosmetics, fragrances, and food packaging. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with our hormones, and the hormones affected by phthalates are essential for fertility.

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Her research revealed that prenatal exposure to phthalates can lead to developmental changes in male reproductive health, including lower sperm counts, smaller genitalia, and an increased risk of infertility later in life.

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How chemical exposure impacts sperm counts

The connection between chemical exposure and fertility has been observed in many real-world cases. One striking example comes from Hawaii, where workers at a Dole pineapple plantation were regularly exposed to a pesticide called dibromo-chloropropane (DBCP).

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“At a picnic, the wives of these workers began comparing notes and realized none of them had been able to conceive. When researchers investigated, they discovered that these men had zero sperm count (azoospermia) due to their chronic pesticide exposure. But when they were removed from exposure, their sperm counts recovered within six months.”

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This case is a powerful testament to the profound impact environmental toxins can have on reproductive health—and the potential for recovery when exposures are eliminated.

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Dr. Swan pioneers a new era of actionable research

While Dr. Swan spent decades in academia conducting rigorous scientific research, she eventually realized that her findings were primarily reaching other scientists—not the public, policymakers, or industry leaders who could drive change. Despite publishing hundreds of papers and presenting at major conferences, the issue of chemical exposure and fertility decline remained largely overlooked by regulators and manufacturers.

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"Academia is fantastic. I did the grants, I did the papers, I did the presentations… but when all was said and done, the things I care a lot about—chemicals in the environment that are affecting our health, and particularly our reproductive function—weren't really being taken seriously by the public or by regulators."

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Determined to shift the conversation from the lab to real-world impact, Dr. Swan sought alternative ways to reach broader audiences. A turning point came when she appeared on a popular podcast.

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"At the end of the conversation, the host asked, 'Do you mean these chemicals are threatening our survival?' And I said, 'Yes.' Then he held up his hands and asked, 'Why don’t people know about this?'"

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That question led Dr. Swan to rethink how scientific information is shared. She secured funding to launch a new research model—one that focuses on fast, cost-effective, and participant-driven studies that generate immediate insights. Instead of lengthy, multi-year projects requiring millions in funding, her approach involves small-scale, real-world interventions that allow individuals to see and experience the impact of reducing chemical exposure firsthand.

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This work has already demonstrated dramatic improvements through simple lifestyle changes. In a fertility intervention she conducted in partnership with Million Marker, six couples struggling with infertility were tested for chemical exposures, provided safer alternatives for household and personal care products, and followed for three months. The results? A significant improvement in their reproductive health—some even saw sperm count return to normal levels.

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“One man sent me an email after receiving his sperm test results. He wrote, ‘I was in tears when I saw my results and knew that now I was normal.’”

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What practical steps can you take to reduce exposure to environmental toxins?

Given the success of Dr. Swan’s interventions, she strongly advocates for practical, science-backed strategies to help those trying to conceive reduce their exposure to harmful toxins:

• Avoid plastics – Opt for glass, ceramic, or stainless steel food containers instead of plastic.
• Read labels carefully – Choose fragrance-free, phthalate-free, and BPA-free products.
• Use safer cleaning and laundry products – Switch to non-toxic household cleaners.
• Scan your products – Apps like Clearya can help identify harmful ingredients in everyday items. The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database has a wealth of information on the safety of personal care products

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Hope comes with awareness, advocacy, and change

Dr. Swan’s message is clear: We can no longer ignore the link between environmental toxins and reproductive health. She urges the United States to follow Europe’s lead, where regulation is far more effective. For example, the EU has banned thousands of harmful personal care product ingredients, compared to only a handful in the U.S.

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Beyond regulation, Dr. Swan believes that education and empowerment are key to addressing this crisis. She emphasizes that people should not feel as if they are constantly battling against harmful exposures but instead see it as an opportunity to take control of their health.

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“If people can go at it that way—not feeling like they’re fighting and struggling, but instead saying, ‘Wow! Let’s find out how we can make ourselves safer’—then I think more people will be motivated to take action.”

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By spreading awareness and giving individuals the tools to reduce their exposure, we can create a collective movement toward healthier futures for all.

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Bridging the gap between science and public awareness

Through CLEAN, Collab Fertility is dedicated to researching and implementing solutions that empower individuals to protect their fertility and overall health.

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“The reality is, we are facing a fertility crisis. But there is hope. By raising awareness, advocating for regulation, and helping individuals make informed choices, we can reverse these trends.”

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At CLEAN, we are committed to advancing research in fertility and reproductive health. To support this mission, we are offering two $10,000 pilot awards to Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellows investigating the impact of environmental toxins, lifestyle factors, and nutrition on fertility. These grants aim to foster groundbreaking studies that can lead to meaningful advancements in reproductive health care. The application process will be open soon.

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Stay connected & take action

• Join the CLEAN movement and stay updated on our research by joining Collab Fertility’s newsletter (sign up form located in the footer of our website) and following us on Instagram.
• Read Dr. Swan’s book Count Down to learn more about the impact of environmental toxins on reproductive health and how to avoid them.
• Share this article to spread awareness and help drive change

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Together, we can protect fertility for families—one informed choice at a time.

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