In January 2018 researchers from Iran published the results of their study to assess the association of urinary levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with thyroid function in children and adolescents. A total of 150 children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, were involved in the study. Blood samples were assessed for thyroid function and urine samples for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene. Results showed that higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were significantly associated with a higher level of thyroid stimulating hormone. The researchers therefore concluded that long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may result in thyroid function impairment.
Kelishadi R et al. Is there any association between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and thyroid hormone levels in children and adolescents? Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2018 Jan;25(2):1962-1968