An urgent book about the ways in which chemicals in the modern environment are changing—and endangering—human sexuality and fertility on the grandest scale.
In the tradition of Silent Spring and The Sixth Extinction, an urgent, “disturbing, empowering, and essential” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) book about the ways in which chemicals in the modern environment are changing—and endangering—human sexuality and fertility on the grandest scale, from renowned epidemiologist Shanna Swan.
In 2017, author Shanna Swan and her team of researchers completed a major study. They found that over the past four decades, sperm levels among men in Western countries have dropped by more than 50 percent. They came to this conclusion after examining 185 studies involving close to 45,000 healthy men. The result sent shockwaves around the globe—but the story didn’t end there. It turns out our sexual development is changing in broader ways, for both men and women and even other species, and that the modern world is on pace to become an infertile one.
How and why could this happen? What is hijacking our fertility and our health? Count Down unpacks these questions, revealing what Swan and other researchers have learned about how both lifestyle and chemical exposures are affecting our fertility, sexual development—potentially including the increase in gender fluidity—and general health as a species. Engagingly explaining the science and repercussions of these worldwide threats and providing simple and practical guidelines for effectively avoiding chemical goods (from water bottles to shaving cream) both as individuals and societies, Count Down is “staggering in its findings” (Erin Brockovich, The Guardian) and “will serve as an awakening” (The New York Times Book Review).
“"Grounded in irrefutable science and laced with dry, engaging wit, this epic book asks monumental questions: Has humanity entered into a fertility death spiral? If so, why is it happening, how far will it go, and when will it peak? Finally, what can and must be done? If you dream of children, grandchildren and generations beyond, you must read this book." --Pete Myers, PhD, coauthor of Our Stolen Future”
Longlisted for the 2022 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award
New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
“If you’ve smugly enjoyed the dystopian worlds of The Handmaid’s Tale (where infertility is triggered in part by environmental pollutants) or Children of Men (where humanity is on the precipice of extinction)—and believed that these stories were rooted firmly in fantasy—Shanna Swan’s Count Down will serve as an awakening….[It] chronicles rising human infertility and warns of dire consequences for our species if this trend doesn’t slow….An important book for anyone concerned about the environment, pollution, successful childbearing or declining health of the human species.”
—New York Times Book Review
"Swann’s book is staggering in its findings….The rapid death and decline of sperm must be addressed, and it must be addressed now. There simply is no time to lose.”
—Erin Brockovich, The Guardian
"An alarming compendium of research. . .the book is full of solid science, with detailed, clear explanations and proposals for how to reduce the harm caused by common chemicals."
—New York Review of Books
"An urgent examination of a global problem that requires vastly more attention than it currently receives....The author’s passion for her work and access to reams of alarming data make for riveting reading, and her writing is crisp and unfettered by jargon....With an advocate’s verve and a scientist’s informed confidence, the author voices 'a clarion call for all of us to do what we can to safeguard our fertility, the fate of mankind, and the planet.' An eye-opening, disturbing, empowering, and essential text."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A convincing plea for heightened awareness of rising reproductive jeopardy and the imperative of eliminating environmental toxins makes this book both alarming and crucial.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“[A] thought-provoking look at the state of human reproductive health….This accessible and shocking account succeeds as an eye-opening wake-up call.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Grounded in irrefutable science and laced with dry, engaging wit, this epic book asks monumental questions: Has humanity entered into a fertility death spiral? If so, why is it happening, how far will it go, and when will it peak? Finally, what can and must be done? If you dream of children, grandchildren and generations beyond, you must read this book.”
—Pete Myers, PhD, coauthor of Our Stolen Future
“An essential book for this moment….There are a lot of surprises here, including that testosterone therapy decreases sperm counts, and that moms’ exposure to common chemicals during pregnancy alters masculinization of the offspring as well as long-term fertility…. I sincerely hope that everyone reads Count Down—the younger the better—so that they'll have the chance to preserve their fertility as well as that of their children."
—Ruthann Rudel, Research Director at Silent Spring Institute and Research Associate at Brown University
“Compellingly readable…a stirring call to action about the dangers posed by declining fertility, including the risks to our health, our economy, and even the future of the human race.”
—Jeremy Grantham, cofounder of investment management firm GMO and the Grantham Foundation for Protection of the Environment
“Scholarly, careful, and thoroughly provocative. Swan and Colino explore every aspect of human fertility, sexuality, and reproduction—as well as the fate of other species—with wisdom, compassion, and insight. An important and recommended read.”
—David L. Katz, MD, MPH, President of True Health Initiative and Past President of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
“Count Down is that rarest of books: a compelling and engaging overview that not only rings the alarm bell, but provides ideas for putting out the fire. Read this book if you want to protect your family’s health.”
—Rick Smith, coauthor, Slow Death by Rubber Duck
“Swan solves one of the great mysteries of the moment: why sperm counts and fertility rates are dropping. She zeroes in on chemicals as a chief culprit, but, even more admirably, maps out the entire threat landscape. This book shines an important light on what we need to do to bring back healthy reproduction.”
—David Michaels, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA and author of The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception
“Unique, exhaustively researched, well-reasoned…Count Down makes a compelling case for changing what we think we know about the future of the human species.”
—Darrell Bricker, coauthor of Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline
Shanna H. Swan, PhD, is an award-winning scientist based at Mt. Sinai and one of the leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologists in the world. Dr. Swan has published more than 200 scientific papers and has been featured in extensive media coverage around the world. Her appearances include ABC News, NBC Nightly News, 60 Minutes, CBS News, PBS, BBC, PRI Radio, NPR, and The Joe Rogan Experience as well as in leading magazines and newspapers, including Newsweek, The Washington Post, USA TODAY, Time, US News & World Report, The Guardian, Bloomberg News, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Daily News (New York), Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, Daily Mail (London), New Scientist, Mental Floss, Mother Jones, New Telegraph, Euronews, and the National Post.
Stacey Colino is an award-winning writer specializing in health and psychological issues. Her writing has appeared in US News & World Report, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Parade, National Geographic, and more. She is the coauthor of numerous books, including Count Down, Emotional Inflammation, and Disease Proof. Stacey is a lifelong dog lover and has owned three rescue dogs. Follow her on X @ColinoStacey.
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