The Role of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Is It a Weak Hypothesis or a Hidden Reality? From Facts to New Perspectives

In the last decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased faster than that of any other malignant tumor type. The cause of thyroid cancer is likely multifactorial and a variety of both exogenous and endogenous has been identified as potential risk factors. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used since the 1970s as flame retardants, are still widespread and persistent pollutants today, although their production was definitely phased out in the western countries several years ago. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are known endocrine disruptors, and the endocrine system is their primary target. Whereas animal studies have ascertained the ability of PBDEs to affect the normal functionality of the thyroid, evidence in humans remains inconclusive, and only a few epidemiological studies investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs and thyroid cancer. However, a number of clues suggest that a prolonged exposure to these chemicals might act a trigger of the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, whereas further studies with an advanced design are suggested.

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A review of sources, levels, and toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their transformation and transport in various environmental compartments

Environmental Reviews ◽

10.1139/er-2015-0081 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 253-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Eric Akortia ◽

Jonathan O. Okonkwo ◽

Mlindelwa Lupankwa ◽

Shiloh D. Osae ◽

Adegbenro P. Daso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Flame Retardants ◽

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Consumer Products ◽

Environmental Matrices ◽

Gas Formation ◽

Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Emerging Issues ◽

Environmental Compartments

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants in many commonly used products. Their presence has been confirmed in various environmental matrices. Their usage in numerous consumer products has lent credence to their ability to retard flammable gas formation, hence their ubiquitous nature in the environment. PBDEs have been described as endocrine disrupting chemicals because of their interference with the endocrine system function in fish and other terrestrial animals. In spite of the progress in research over the years on PBDEs, full understanding of the environmental behaviour and fate of this contaminant is still elusive. In this review, sources by which PBDEs enter the environment have been evaluated in conjunction with their levels, as well as their toxicity, and the transformation and transport of PBDEs in various environmental compartments. This provides a better understanding of the behaviour of these emerging environmental contaminants within the environment. While acknowledging the numerous studies that have been conducted on the environmental contamination by PBDEs, emerging issues and data gaps have been identified.

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Pilot study on the dietary habits and lifestyles of girls with idiopathic precocious puberty from the city of Rome: potential impact of exposure to flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2015-0116 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (11-12) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Roberta Tassinari ◽

Francesca R. Mancini ◽

Alberto Mantovani ◽

Luca Busani ◽

Francesca Maranghi

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Precocious Puberty ◽

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Flame Retardants ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Central Precocious Puberty ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Italian Children

AbstractPuberty is regulated by the endocrine system, which when disrupted can affect reproductive health. Endocrine disrupters (ED) are involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are lipophilic, persistent ED used as flame retardants in several products; thus, human population is exposed through food and domestic dust. PBDE exposure during the peripubertal period is suspected to interfere with reproductive development. The study aimed to investigate PBDE serum concentration in 31 girls with ICPP as well as describe their dietary habits and lifestyles. The PBDE median level was 59 ng/g of lipids, higher than in healthy girls in comparable studies. Interestingly, elder girls and girls with higher body mass index (BMI) showed higher PBDE serum levels. Considering the relevance of altered puberty onset as a risk factor for reproductive health, studies on food contribution to PBDE exposure in Italian children, and efforts to ameliorate risk assessment for emerging chemicals are suggested.

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