Pesticides in vegetables have been blamed

Health officials have blamed pesticides which contaminate vegetables and other foods as well as higher stress levels, the paper reported.

The Shanghai survey follows a report last month in the China Daily newspaper, which claimed between 20% and 30% of Chinese men now suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction, including infertility and impotence.

Fertility problems are said to affect about 15% of all married couples, and of these cases, are third are down to the male partner.

'Environmental' hormone

Experts from the East China University of Science and Technology have pointed to a toxin found in pesticides and laundry detergents for the problem.

The toxin, called an "environmental hormone", is linked to impotency and premature puberty in both sexes, the experts told the paper.

1% of Chinese children reach puberty early

The hormone disrupts the endocrine system, upsetting the balance of the body's natural hormone levels, the experts said.

"Domestic pollution, including the use of plastic containers and chemical additives in foods, has negatively affected children's health," Wang Jian, a researcher from the institute, was quoted as saying.

About 1% of children in Shanghai reach puberty early.

Rapid economic growth in recent years in the country has been followed with a sharp increase in all types of pollution.

A survey of 46 major Chinese cities found only eight meet government standards for water and air pollution.

Many rivers are also said to be dying and about a third of the country suffers from acid rain.