Sydney: Its red alert for all those male racers who think their high-powered cars improve their chances with the opposite sex. An Italian study shows that men whose cars billow blue smoke risk hurting themselves where it hurts the most - their genitals.

The University of Naples study of traffic pollutants found a clear link between high nitrogen oxide and lead levels in the air and lower "sperm quality" in men tested. Researchers tested 85 men who worked at motorway tollgates and compared the results to age-matched men living in the same area, says a report in 'The Sunday Star Times'.

According to the report, the tollgate employees' sperm was found to suffer from "significantly lower" results, when compared to factors such as the "cervical mucus penetration test". Council air quality scientist Jayne Metcalfe found the Naples study was one of several being assessed which pointed to health risks associated with vehicle emissions.

Boy racers spoken to along Wellington's Kent Terrace on July 25 night indicated they did not care about the study's findings. Jim Andrews, 15, conceded he was possibly at risk because he spent every Friday and Saturday night with all four car windows down and music blaring out. "Maybe that makes it easier for the smoke to get into my car, I don't know. But I'm not giving up my beats (music) for anyone - it's part of me, part of who I am."

ANI