Ann Occup Environ Med.  2019 ;31(1):e22. 10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e22.

Relationship between triclosan exposure and thyroid hormones: the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014)

• Ha NY
• Kim DH
• Ryu JY

• KMID: 2466066
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e22

Abstract

BACKGROUND
5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (triclosan) is used as an antiseptic and is a potential endocrine-disrupting chemical that can affect thyroid hormone levels. This study evaluated the relationship between triclosan exposure and thyroid hormones.
METHODS
Data from the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012-2014) were analyzed. Triclosan exposure was evaluated using urinary triclosan concentrations and classified into 2 groups: "˜below detection (< limit of detection [LOD])' vs. "˜detected (≥ LOD).' Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between triclosan exposure and the serum thyroid hormone concentrations, adjusting for age, body mass index, urinary creatinine, and smoking status.
RESULTS
When grouped by sex, triclosan exposure was positively associated with the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in females with marginal significance (β = 0.066, p = 0.058). However, no significant association was identified between triclosan exposure and serum total triiodothyronine and thyroxine in both males and females, and TSH in males.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first human study to evaluate the relationship between triclosan exposure and serum thyroid hormone concentrations in the Korean population. There was suggestive positive association between triclosan exposure and the serum TSH in females. Further studies need to evaluate the relationship between long-term exposure to low-dose triclosan and thyroid hormones.

Keyword

Endocrine-disrupting chemical; Triclosan; Thyroid hormone

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Creatinine
Environmental Health*
Female
Humans
Limit of Detection
Linear Models
Male
Smoke
Smoking
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Hormones*
Thyrotropin
Thyroxine
Triclosan*
Triiodothyronine
Creatinine
Smoke
Thyroid Hormones
Thyrotropin
Thyroxine
Triclosan
Triiodothyronine