A study by a University in the U.K. has found that contraceptive pills, cleaning products, and other household items flushed down household drains are turning male fish transgender. Male river fish are displaying feminized traits and even producing eggs, the study led by Professor Charles Tyler of the University of Exeter found, according to The Telegraph. Some fish have reduced sperm quality and display less aggressive and competitive behavior, making them less
likely to breed. The tests involved in the study showed that as much as 20 percent of freshwater fish at 50 different sites in the U.K. had higher feminine characteristics. The chemicals causing these effects include contraceptive pill, cleaning agents, plastics, and cosmetics. Over 200 chemicals from sewage plants have been found to have estrogen-like effects, according to the study. “We are showing that some of these chemicals can have much wider health effects on fish that we expected,” Tyler was quoted as saying. READ MORE
