|
[Effects on thyroid functions]
2.7 Effects on thyroid functions [Summary]
Literature survey concerning epidemiology of endocrine
disruptors (except dioxins) and thyroid functions was performed.
The PubMed database was searched with a strategy "(Thyroid) AND
(Insecticides OR Pesticides OR Chlorinated Hydrocarbons OR PCBs
OR Bisphenol OR Phenol OR Phthalate OR Styrene OR Furan OR
Organotin OR Diethylstilbestrol OR Ethinyl Estradiol) AND
(human)". The 607 citations retrieved included 15 epidemiologic
studies (2 cohort studies, 1 case-control study, 10 synchronic
studies, 1 intervention study, and 1 ecological study) published
between 2000 and Oct.31, 2004. Japanese subjects were studied in
two reports concerning PCBs. The survey showed that the effects
of PCBs are recognized in studies on highly exposed populations.
Study on general populations is needed. Other endocrine
disruptors are scarcely studied in relation to thyroid functions
although effects are well established in animal experiments.
Epidemiologic studies must thus be continued, particularly in
Japan where few studies have been conducted.
[Purpose]
Since thyroid dysfunction was reported in 1994 for a subject
exposed to dioxins, the relationship of thyroid functions with
substances other than dioxins (e.g. PCBs) has attracted
attention. Literature was surveyed in order to summarize the
present status of epidemiologic research on the relationship of
chemical substances and thyroid functions.
[Method]
The PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi)
provided by National Library of Medicine was searched with a
strategy "(Thyroid) AND (Insecticides OR Pesticides OR
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons OR PCBs OR Bisphenol OR Phenol OR
Phthalate OR Styrene OR Furan OR Organotin OR Diethylstilbestrol
OR Ethinyl Estradiol) AND (human)". From among 607 citations
retrieved, original papers reporting epidemiologic studies on
human populations were selected, and, as necessary, other
articles cited in these papers or reviews were added.
|