THURSDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Chemicals called
phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) that are found in solvents,
plastics and numerous household products may alter levels of
thyroid hormones in the body, according to a new study.
Thyroid hormones play a role in many critical bodily functions,
including reproduction and metabolism.
Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public
Health used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey to compare thyroid levels and traces of
phthalates and BPA in urine samples of 1,346 adults and 329
teenagers. Their findings confirmed previous research linking BPA
-- used in certain plastic water bottles and the linings of canned
foods -- with disruptions in thyroid hormone levels, they said.
Overall, higher concentrations of the chemicals had an inverse
impact on thyroid levels, said study lead author John Meeker, an
assistant professor, in a university news release. The greater the
exposure to phthalates and BPA, the lower the thyroid hormone
levels.
The strongest link occurred with exposure to DEHP, a phthalate
commonly used as a plasticizer, which people come into contact with
through diet.
In the cases of DEHP ingestion, urine samples showed that the
greatest exposure was associated with as much as a 10 percent drop
in thyroid hormones.
"This seems like a subtle difference," said Meeker, "but if you think about the entire population being exposed at this level you'd see many more thyroid related effects in people."
The authors concluded that additional research is needed. In
other ongoing studies, they are assessing the chemicals' potential
effects on pregnancy outcomes and child development.
Developing fetuses and children may be particularly vulnerable
to disruptions in thyroid hormone levels associated with exposure
to these and other environmental chemicals, Meeker said.
The researchers, acknowledging some limitations of their study,
said their work could be improved by following people over time and
collecting several urine samples, since these chemicals metabolize
quickly and one single sample may not represent the true chemical
exposure.
The findings were published online July 11 in the journal
Environmental Health Perspectives.
More information
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides more
information on the
safety of phthalates and BPA.