Hypothyroidism in Workers Exposed to Polybrominated Biphenyls

Bahn, Anita K.; Mills, James L.; Snyder, Peter J.; Gann, Peter H.; Houten, Lorne; Bialik, Ora; Hollmann, Lena; Utiger, Robert D.

doi:10.1056/nejm198001033020105

Cited by 147 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…At least 1 of the 4 was exposed to deca-BDE alone, while no case of thyroid dysfunction was observed among 89 unexposed workers. 80 The mechanism of thyroid hormone disruption is not clear. PBDEs may upregulate uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyl transferase (UDPGT), which increases the rate of T 4 conjugation and excretion.…”

Section: Thyrotoxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): New Pollutants-Old Diseases

Siddiqi

Laessig²,

Reed³

2003

Clinical Medicine & Research

286

145

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of recalcitrant and bioaccumulative halogenated compounds that have emerged as a major environmental pollutant. PBDEs are used as a flame-retardant and are found in consumer goods such as electrical equipment, construction materials, coatings, textiles and polyurethane foam (furniture padding). Similar in structure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PBDEs resist degradation in the environment. Less brominated PBDEs like tetra-, penta-and hexa-demonstrate high affinity for lipids and can accumulate in the bodies of animals and humans. Breast milk from North American women contained much higher amounts of PBDEs than levels in breast milk from Swedish women, indicating that North American exposures to PBDEs may be particularly high. Evidence to date suggests that tetra-and penta-BDEs are likely to be the more toxic and bioaccumulative of the PBDE compounds, compared to octa-and deca-congeners. PBDEs are sold as mixtures, under names such as "pentabromodiphenyl ether" and "octabromodiphenyl ether." The pentabromo product is a mixture of tetra-BDEs and penta-BDEs in approximately equal amounts. Pentabromo consists of PBDEs that are believed to be the most toxic.

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Section: Thyrotoxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): New Pollutants-Old Diseases

Siddiqi

Laessig²,

Reed³

2003

Clinical Medicine & Research

286

145

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Polyhalogenated biphenyls are commonly used compounds in products including adhesives, lubricants, and flame retardants, while polychlorinated biphenyls are found in plasticizers. A high prevalence of hypothyroidism was observed in individuals exposed to polyhalogenated biphenyls with an associated elevation in antimicrosomal antibodies and anti-Tg antibodies (30). In view of the evidence that many of these chemicals can interfere with thyroid function, there is a growing concern about their effects on neurological development during embryonic life (15,29).…”

Section: Environmental Toxinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Children and Adolescents

Sarı¹,

Karaoğlu²,

Yeşilkaya³

2011

Autoimmune Disorders - Current Concepts and Advances From Bedside to Mechanistic Insights

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“…Thyroid weights frequently increase after exposure to PCBs or dioxins, and histological changes suggesting an increase in TSH stimulation have been noted (43). Exposed individuals can show lymphocytic autoimmune thyroiditis that can lead to primary hypothyroidism (37,44,45). There is an increased thyroid hormone turnover and increased biliary excretion of thyroxine (41)(42)(43).…”

Section: Actions Ofpcbs and Dioxins On Thyroid Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability of the developing brain to thyroid abnormalities: environmental insults to the thyroid system.

Porterfield

1994

Environ Health Perspect

160

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Neurologic development follows orderly patterns that can be severely disturbed when thyroid hormones are deficient or excessive. Should this occur at appropriate development periods, irreversible neurologic damage can result. The nature of the deficits depends upon the specific development period and the severity of the thyroid disturbance. PCBs and dioxins are structurally similar to the thyroid hormones. Their binding characteristics are similar to those of thyroid hormones and all three groups bind to the cytosolic Ah receptor, the thyroid hormone receptor and the serum thryoid hormone binding protein transthyretin. Depending upon the dose of toxin and the congener used, the toxins either decrease or minic the biological action of the thyroid hormones. Either effect, if occurring during brain development, can have disastrous consequences. Children and animals exposed to PCBs or dioxins in utero and/or as infants can exhibit varying degrees of behavioral disorders. These disorders resemble those seen in children exposed to thyroid hormone deficiencies in utero and/or in infancy. The mechanism of developmental neurotoxicity of PCBs and dioxins is not known but data suggest it could be partially or entirely mediated by alterations in availability and action of thyroid hormones during neurological development. It is possible that transient exposure of the mother to doses of toxins presently considered nontoxic to the mother could have an impact upon fetal or perinatal neurological development. If the toxins act via their effect on thyroid hormone action, it is possible that doses of toxins that would normally not alter fetal development, could become deleterious if superimposed on a pre-existing maternal/or fetal thyroid disorder. Environ Health Perspect 102(Suppl 2): 125-130 (1994).

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Hypothyroidism in Workers Exposed to Polybrominated Biphenyls

Cited by 147 publications

References 3 publications

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): New Pollutants-Old Diseases

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): New Pollutants-Old Diseases

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Children and Adolescents

Vulnerability of the developing brain to thyroid abnormalities: environmental insults to the thyroid system.

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