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Associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and thyroid function in a representative sample of the Korean population.

Authors :
Kim KN
Park S
Choi J
Hwang IU
Source :
Environmental research [Environ Res] 2024 Jul 01; Vol. 252 (Pt 4), pp. 119018. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 27.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: Disruption of thyroid function can profoundly affect various organ systems. However, studies on the association between air pollution and thyroid function are relatively scarce and most studies have focused on the long-term effects of air pollution among pregnant women.<br />Objectives: This study aimed to explore the associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and thyroid function in the general population.<br />Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015) were analyzed (n = 5,626). Air pollution concentrations in residential addresses were estimated using Community Multiscale Air Quality models. The moving averages of air pollution over 7 days were set as exposure variables through exploratory analyses. Linear regression and quantile g-computation models were constructed to assess the effects of individual air pollutants and air pollution mixture, respectively.<br />Results: A 10-ppb increase in NO <subscript>2</subscript> (18.8-μg/m <superscript>3</superscript> increase) and CO (11.5-μg/m <superscript>3</superscript> increase) was associated with 2.43% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 4.48] and 0.19% (95% CI: 0.01, 0.36) higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, respectively. A 10-μg/m <superscript>3</superscript> increase in PM <subscript>2.5</subscript> and a 10-ppb increase in O <subscript>3</subscript> (19.6-μg/m <superscript>3</superscript> increment) were associated with 0.87% (95% CI: 1.47, -0.27) and 0.59% (95% CI: 1.18, -0.001) lower free thyroxine (fT4) levels, respectively. A simultaneous quartile increase in PM <subscript>2.5</subscript> , NO <subscript>2</subscript> , O <subscript>3</subscript> , and CO levels was associated with lower fT4 but not TSH levels.<br />Conclusions: As the subtle changes in thyroid function can affect various organ systems, the present results may have substantial public health implications despite the relatively modest effect sizes. Because this was a cross-sectional study, it is necessary to conduct further experimental or repeated-measures studies to consolidate the current results.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1096-0953
Volume :
252
Issue :
Pt 4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Environmental research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38685294
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119018