Non-stick chemical linked to thyroid disease

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7036451/Non-stick-chemical-linked-t\

o-thyroid-disease.html

A chemical used in non-stick pans and water resistant fabrics has been linked to

a common disease that affects the metabolism of the body.

By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent

Published: 7:30AM GMT 21 Jan 2010

 

Researchers have found that higher concentrations of the compound

perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the blood correlates with up to double the

rates of thyroid disease.

 

The findings, although not conclusive proof of a link, do raise concerns over

the use of the ubiquitous chemical in households and factories

 

Professor Tamara Galloway, the study's senior author at the University of

Exeter, said: " 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.

 

" We need to know what they are doing. "

 

Thyroid disease is a common condition that affects around one in 50 women and up

to one in a 1000 men at one time in their lives. It is particularly associated

with ageing.

 

An overactive or under-active thyroid can have significant affects on heart

rate, body temperature and many other body functions, including metabolism,

reproduction, digestion and mental health.

 

PFOA is a very stable man-made chemical used to repel heat, water, grease, and

stains.

 

It is used during the process of making common household and industrial items

including nonstick pots and pans, flame-resistant and waterproof clothing,

carpets, sofas and curtains.

 

There have long been suspicions that PFOA concentrations might be linked to

changes in thyroid hormone levels. Now this latest study seems to back up those

suspicions.

 

A study by the University of Exeter and the Peninsula Medical School it shares

with the University of Plymouth, for the first time links thyroid disease with

human exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

 

The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, involved

3966 adults aged 20 and older whose blood serum was sampled between 1999 and

2006 for PFOA.

 

The researchers found that the individuals with the highest amount of PFOA

concentrations ,above 5.7 nanograms per mililitre were more than twice as likely

to report current thyroid disease than individuals with the lowest 50 per cent

of PFOA concentrations (below 4.0ng/ml).

 

David Melzer, a professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Peninsula

Medical School, said: " 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. "

 

Professor Ashley Grossman, at Queen Mary, University of London, said the link

was definitely not proven.

 

" We'd need to do a lot more research to verify this link and to understand how

the two are linked, " he said.

 

" In the meantime, it's important to remember that thyroid disease can be

successfully treated. "