Perchlorate exposure and thyroid function in ammonium perchlorate workers in Yicheng, China

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 May 7;11(5):4926-38. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110504926.

Abstract

The impact of low level dust on the thyroid function of workers chronically exposed to ammonium perchlorate (AP) is uncertain and controversial. The aim of this study was to examine whether workers in China with long-term (>3 years) occupational exposure to low levels of AP dust had affected thyroid homeostasis. Mean occupational exposures to AP dust ranged from 0.43 to 1.17 mg/m3. Geometric means of post-shift urinary perchlorate levels were 20.5 µg/L for those exposed and 12.8 µg/L for the controls. No significant differences were found for thyroid function parameters of FT3, FT4, or log TSH or for TPO prevalence or thyroglobulin levels. Additionally, no differences in findings were observed for complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemical profile, or pulmonary function test. Median urinary iodine levels of 172 and 184 µg/L showed that the workers had sufficient iodine intake. This study found no effect on thyroid function from long term, low-level documented exposure to ammonium perchlorate. It is the first study to report both thyroid status parameters and urinary perchlorate, a biomarker of internal perchlorate exposure, in occupationally exposed workers in China.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / toxicity
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • China
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dust / analysis*
  • Female
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Perchlorates / analysis*
  • Perchlorates / toxicity
  • Perchlorates / urine*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / analysis*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / toxicity
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / urine*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Gland / drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland / physiology*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Biomarkers
  • Dust
  • Perchlorates
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • ammonium perchlorate