The leader of the Scottish Greens is worried about toxic pollution and low sperm count

Green MSP Robin Harper is to raise the issue during First Minister's Questions on Thursday, after a study suggested male fertility had fallen by a third.

The study on 7,500 men in Aberdeen between 1989 and 2002 showed a 29% fall in the average sperm count.

Alcohol, smoking and obesity reduce sperm counts, with fears pesticides and chemicals may damage sperm quality.

Mr Harper will ask whether the executive is aware of any link between toxic chemicals in the environment and the falling sperm count.

The executive will also be urged to support EU proposals which are expected to clamp down on the use of toxic chemicals.

Mr Harper said: "This is yet another signal that serious action is needed to tackle the scourge of toxic contamination in Scotland's people and environment.

Robin Harper is urging the executive to act

"Everyday products, even some of the carpets we walk on, give off hormone disrupting compounds and much of the food we eat is laced with a cocktail of chemicals."

Mr Harper said that dangerous chemicals can be found in the bodies of virtually everyone, some of which have been linked to cancers and birth defects.

He urged the executive to contribute robustly to EU proposals, expected within 18 months, to control and even phase out toxic chemicals.

Mr Harper added: "Some urgency is needed and I expect to hear a committed response by the first minister.