Environmental organochlorine compounds and thyroid function in Western New York State anglers and sportsmen

Numerous reports suggest that organochlorine compounds, including dioxins, furans, PCBs, and pesticides may influence thyroid function in human populations. Great Lakes sportfish consumption has been reported as a concentrated source of exposure to these compounds in the environment. Preliminary data analyses suggested that a sample of anglers and sportsmen, recruited as part of the New York State Angler Cohort Study, would be an appropriate group to study the effects of exposure to environmental organochlorine compounds on thyroid function.; Participants were recruited in 1991 as a weighted sample of fishing license registries in 16 New York State counties surrounding Lakes Erie and Ontario. Blood samples and updated questionnaires were procured from n = 203 males and n = 105 females as part of exposure validation substudies. Sera were analyzed for ortho-substituted PCBs, DDE, HCB, Mirex, serum lipids, and thyroid biomarkers TSH, T4, fT4, and T3. Gender stratified analyses of consumption of Lake Ontario sportfish species, from 1980 to 1990, suggest Mirex as a significant (p < 0.05) biomarker of exposure among males. Significantly higher burdens of heavily chlorinated organochlorines among males, and of lower chlorinated organochlorines among females, were observed. Higher levels of most PCB congeners and organochlorine pesticides were demonstrated compared with geographically proximate populations as well as the general U.S. population.; Mirex was significantly and inversely associated with thyroid function biomarkers in gender stratified multivariable linear regression models. A significant interaction was identified between body mass index and Mirex in association with T3. Dioxins, additional pesticides, and biomarkers of autoimmune thyroid disease (TPO-Ab and anti-TGB) were measured in a selected subsample from this group (n = 38). Mirex was significantly and inversely associated with serum T3 in the subsample, with an interaction between cigarette smoking and Mirex suggested. Exposure to dioxins was not associated with altered thyroid function and no organochlorines were associated with autoimmune biomarkers. These data suggest that serum levels of dioxins in the sample are comparable to those reported for the general U.S. population. The results of this work suggest that Mirex may be an important influence on thyroid function in Western NY anglers and sportsmen and that exposure to this compound continues.