Mice exposed to polluted air have dramatically higher rates of genetic mutations in their sperm than mice that breathe filtered air, according to a study released this week that suggests airborne pollutants may be linked to inheritable DNA damage.

The study found that mice breathing unfiltered air downwind of two steel mills and a major highway had 60 percent more mutations in their sperm than mice whose air was cleaned with high-efficiency HEPA filters.

“These findings show that chemical pollutants may cause heritable mutation. Further research is required to confirm these results, and to evaluate the potential risk to humans exposed to particulate air pollution,” the researchers wrote.