Dietary Intake of Endocrine Disrupting Substances Presents in Environment and Their Impact on Thyroid Function

Abstract

According to the available data, environmental pollution is a serious problem all over the world. Between 2015 and 2016, pollution was responsible for approximately nine million deaths worldwide. They also include endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. They are characterized by high persistence in the environment. These substances can enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, as well as contact with the skin and overcome the placental barrier. EDC can be found in food, water, and personal care products. They can get into food from the environment and as a result of their migration to food products and cosmetics from packaging. EDCs can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland through a number of mechanisms, including disrupting the activation of thyroid receptors and the expression of genes that are related to the metabolism, synthesis, and transport of thyroid hormones (HT). There is a need to strengthen the food safety policy that aimed at the use of appropriate materials in direct contact with food. At the same time, an important action is to reduce the production of all waste and, when possible, use biodegradable packaging, which may contribute to the improvement of the quality of the entire ecosystem and the health of food, thus reducing the risk of developing thyroid diseases.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Disease Endpoints

“…EDCs affect thyroid function in several ways, including hormone biosynthesis, transport, metabolism, and TR activity [ 97 ]. Thus, clinical and animal studies have suggested that EDC exposure could impair thyroid signaling during development and be associated with neurological deficits [ 98 , 99 , 100 ]. Clinical studies have proven that exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is associated with hypothyroidism [ 101 ].…”

"Comparison of Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Sodium in Thyroid Tissue Adjacent to Thyroid Malignant and Benign Nodules"

“…Environment (air, water and food) polluted by artificial nonorganic Cl-contained compounds, for example such as sodium chlorate (NaClO 3 ), and organic Cl-contained compounds, for example such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin, is other source. There is a clear association between using chlorinated drinking water, levels NaClO3, PCBs and dioxin in environment and thyroid disorders, including cancer [55][56][57][58][59].…”

Associations of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites with Thyroid Function and the Mediated Role of Cytokines: A Panel Study of Healthy Children

“…Phthalates, acting as plasticizers, are extensively used in daily consumer and industrial products. They have been frequently detected in both surroundings and human beings worldwide . Phthalates easily enter the body via respiratory inhalation, everyday diet intake, and epidermal absorption.…”