Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973-1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed

Jacobson, MH; Darrow, LA; Barr, DB; Howards, PP; Lyles, RH; Terrell, ML; Smith, AK; Conneely, KN; Marder, ME; Marcus, M

HERO ID

4857702

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2017

Language

English

PMID

28953452

HERO ID 4857702
In Press No
Year 2017
Title Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973-1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed
Authors Jacobson, MH; Darrow, LA; Barr, DB; Howards, PP; Lyles, RH; Terrell, ML; Smith, AK; Conneely, KN; Marder, ME; Marcus, M
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 125
Issue 9
Page Numbers 097020
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>In 1973-1974, Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) through an accidental contamination of the food supply. Residents were enrolled in a registry assembled after the incident, and they and their children participated in follow-up studies to assess subsequent health outcomes.<br /><br /><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>We evaluated associations between serum PBBs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and markers of thyroid function among Michigan adults.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>Serum concentrations of four PBB and four PCB congeners were measured at least once in 753 adults, including 79 women who participated in a 2004-2006 study and 683 women and men with follow-up during 2012-2015. Participants completed questionnaires on health conditions (including physician-diagnosed thyroid disease), behaviors, and demographics. Thyroid hormones were measured in a subset without thyroid disease (n=551). In multivariable linear regression models, PBB and PCB congener concentrations, on both the volume (nanogram/milliliter) and lipid (nanogram/gram lipid) basis, were assessed in relation to thyroid hormones. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between serum PBBs and PCBs and thyroid disease.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Thyroid disease was common (18% overall; 25% among women). Among women, all odds ratios (ORs) for PBB-153 and thyroid disease were positive for quintiles above the reference level, but estimates were imprecise and were without a monotonic increase. For an interquartile range (IQR) increase in PBB-153 (0.43 ng/mL), the OR (any thyroid disease)=1.12; (95% CI: 0.83, 1.52) (n=105 cases); for hypothyroidism, OR=1.35 (95% CI: 0.86, 2.13) (n=49 cases). There were 21 cases of thyroid disease in men [OR=0.69 (95% CI: 0.33); 1.44 for an IQR increase (0.75 ng/mL) in serum PBB-153]. PCB congeners were statistically significantly associated with greater total and free thyroxine and total triiodothyronine among women and with total and free triiodothyronine among men in lipid-standardized models.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>We found some evidence to support associations of PBBs and PCBs with thyroid disease and thyroid hormone levels. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1302.
Doi 10.1289/EHP1302
Pmid 28953452
Wosid WOS:000413792800030
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Michigan; United States--US; Accidental contamination; Hormones; Feeds; Contamination; PCB compounds; Food contamination & poisoning; Models; Demographics; Thyroid gland; Regression analysis; Regression models; Hypothyroidism; Children; Thyroid; Animal feeds; Polychlorinated biphenyls--PCB; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polybrominated biphenyls; Thyroxine; PCB; Thyroid hormones; Men; Livestock feed; Livestock; Health risk assessment; Adults; Food supply; Demography; Triiodothyronine; Food contamination; Congeners
Relationship(s)