Chronic exposure to dioxin-like compounds and thyroid function among New York anglers

Michael Bloom; John Vena; James Olson; Kirsten Moysich

doi:10.1016/j.etap.2005.09.001

Chronic exposure to dioxin-like compounds and thyroid function among New York anglers

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2006 May;21(3):260-7. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2005.09.001. Epub 2005 Oct 24.

Authors

Michael Bloom¹, John Vena, James Olson, Kirsten Moysich

Affiliation

¹ Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 270 Farber Hall, 3435 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.

PMID: 21783667
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2005.09.001

Abstract

Experimental studies suggest that dioxin-like compounds influence thyroid function, although human studies have presented equivocal results. Great Lakes sportfish consumers represent a population with greater potential for exposure to dioxin-like compounds than non-consumers. Thirty-eight licensed anglers participating in a dioxin exposure study, consumers and non-consumers, conducted as part of the New York Angler Cohort Study, donated blood and completed questionnaires regarding demographic, clinical, and sportfish consumption data. Sera were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), coplanar biphenyls (PCB), and PCB IUPAC #153, in addition to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free thyroxine (T(4) and fT(4)), total triiodothyronine (T(3)), and lipids. An inverse linear association between serum fT(4) and the sum of dioxin-like congener concentrations (∑DIOXs) in serum (B=-0.3, 95% CI=-0.5, -0.1) was identified adjusting for PCB #153 and serum lipids (R(2)=0.3, p=0.02, n=37). The results of this study are preliminary but suggest an inverse association between dioxin-like compounds and fT(4).