Washington: In a major breakthrough,
scientists claim to have found a link between thyroid disease
and exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid -- a stain-repellent
chemical used in nonstick cookware, carpets, paints etc.
A study by Exeter University and the Peninsula Medical
School has revealed that people with higher concentrations of
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in their blood have higher rates
of thyroid disease.
Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland doesn`t
supply the proper amount of hormones needed by the body.
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According to team leader Professor David Melzer of
the Peninsula Medical School, "There have long been suspicions
that PFOA concentrations might be linked to changes in thyroid
hormone levels.
"Our analysis shows that in the `ordinary` adult
population there is a solid statistical link between higher
concentrations of PFOA in blood and thyroid disease."
PFOA is a very stable man-made chemical that excels
at repelling heat, water, grease, and stains. It`s used during
the process of making household items like nonstick cookware,
waterproof clothing, carpets, fabrics etc.
For their study, the scientists analysed samples from
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention`s National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The study included 3966 adults aged 20 and older
whose blood serum was sampled between 1999 and 2006 for PFOA
and other perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) compounds, including
perfluoroctane sulphonate (PFOS).
The scientists found that the individuals with
the highest 25 percent of PFOA concentrations were more than
twice as likely to report current thyroid disease than those
individuals with the lowest 50 percent of PFOA concentrations.
The most specific analysis included 163 women and 46
men who reported having current thyroid disease and who were
taking thyroid medication at the time the samples were taken.
"Our results highlight a real need for further
research into the human health effects of low-level exposures
to environmental chemicals like PFOA that are ubiquitous in
the environment and in people`s homes," said team member Prof
Tamara Galloway of Exeter University.
The findings have been published in the latest edition
of the `Environmental Health Perspectives` journal.
PTI