Polychlorinated biphenyls, indicators of thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies in the Anniston Community Health Survey I (ACHS-I). (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benson, Kelsey; Yang, Eric; Dutton, Nina; Sjodin, Andreas; Rosenbaum, Paula F.; Pavuk, Marian
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 195(2018)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Polychlorinated biphenyls -- Thyroid hormones -- Thyroid antibodies -- Persistent organic pollutants -- Environmental pollutants -- Pesticides; Anniston Community Health Survey ACHS -- Agency for toxic substances and disease registry ATSDR -- Persistent organic pollutants POPs -- Polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs -- Hexachlorobenzene HCB -- β-Hexachlorocyclohexane β-HCCH -- Thyroglobulin antibody TgAb -- Thyroid stimulation hormone/thyrotropin TSH -- Thyroperoxidase antibody TPOAb -- Thyroxin T4 -- Total T4 (TT4) -- Free T4 (fT4) -- Triiodothyronine T3 -- Total T3 (TT3); Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.12.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we examined associations between serum concentrations of 35 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, pesticides, and indicators of thyroid function in participants of the Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS). Study subjects lived in the vicinity of a former PCB production facility and had PCB concentrations 2 to 3 times higher than similar age and race groups from the general population. We investigated associations among serum levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxin [T4], free thyroxin [fT4], triiodothyronine [T3], thyroid stimulation hormone [TSH]) and auto-antibodies (thyroglobulin antibody [TgAb] or thyroperoxidase antibody [TPOAb]) and combined indicators of thyroid function with the sum of PCBs, varying PCB groups, individual PCB congeners, and 8 pesticides. Logistic and linear regression models were adjusted for log10 transformed total lipids, age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, smoking, and family history of thyroid disease. We also performed analyses stratified by ethnicity and sex. Linear regression showed inverse associations between TT3 and thyroid-like PCBs (sum of PCBs 28, 52, 74, 101, 105, and 118; p = .0004), two pesticides (hexachlorobenzene, and pp'-DDE), and individual congeners (PCBs 74, 105). Null associations were observed between PCBs, pesticides, TSH, TT4, and fT4. Logistic regression analyses did not provide support for TT3 findings and found no association with other thyroid hormones, antibodies, or combined indicator of thyroid function. These results suggest there is little evidence that these chemicals have any major clinical effect on thyroid function in this highly PCB exposed population. Highlights: PCB concentrations 2–3 times the general population. Null associations between PCBs, pesticides and TSH, TT4 and fT4, thyroid antibodies. Slight inverse association for TT3 and thyroid-like PCBs, PCB 74/105, HCB/pp'-DDT. Thyroid hormone levels show weak support for effects of PCBs on thyroid function.