Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of low to moderate occupational lead exposure on thyroid function we conducted a cross-sectional study of 151 male lead smelter workers. Methods: Parameters of thyroid function were assessed in relation to both subacute and cumulative lead exposure over a 10-year employment period. Blood lead levels, obtained from plant surveillance records, were used to establish four ordinal levels of current and cumulative exposure (<15, 15–24, 25–39, and ≥40 μ g/dl). Results: Mean values for the lowest as compared with the highest current exposure group were similar for thyroxine (T4: 6.8 versus 6.1 μ g/dl), estimated free thyroxine (EFT4: 1.6 ng/dl in both groups), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH: 1.8 versus 1.7 mIU/l); there was no evidence of a significant trend for diminished thyroid function associated with increasing current lead exposure. Similarly, no significant difference was observed for T4, EFT4, or TSH in relation to the 10-year cumulative exposure or for adjusted analyses controlling for potential confounders, including age and alcohol use. Conclusion: In contrast to studies observing thyroid dysfunction in the setting of high lead exposure and related clinical poisoning, our findings weigh against a significant physiologic effect on thyroid function at lower levels (<60 μ g/dl) of occupational lead exposure.
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Received: 3 August 1997 / Accepted: 8 July 1998
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Schumacher, C., Brodkin, C., Alexander, B. et al. Thyroid function in lead smelter workers: absence of subacute or cumulative effects with moderate lead burdens. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 71, 453–458 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004200050305
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004200050305