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Thyroid Hormones in Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand

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  • Pornpimol Kongtip

    (Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
    Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, EHT, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

  • Noppanun Nankongnab

    (Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan Campus, Nakhon Sawan 60000, Thailand)

  • Nichcha Kallayanatham

    (Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

  • Ritthirong Pundee

    (Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan Campus, Nakhon Sawan 60000, Thailand)

  • Nattagorn Choochouy

    (Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University Lampang Campus, Lampang 52190, Thailand)

  • Jutharak Yimsabai

    (Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok, 90 Sithamma traipidok Road, Muang, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand)

  • Susan Woskie

    (Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854-2867, USA)

Abstract

Pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors by different mechanisms including inhibition of iodine absorption, increases in thyroid hormone clearance, decreased cellular uptake of thyroid hormones, or changes in expression of thyroid hormone regulated genes. This study examined how exposure to pesticides impacts thyroid hormone levels, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (FT3), and free T4 (FT4) by comparing conventional ( n = 195) and organic farmers ( n = 222), and by evaluating which types of pesticides might be associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Questionnaires were used to collect information about farmer characteristics, self-reported stress, agricultural activities, and history of pesticide use. Conventional farmers were asked to report the type and quantity of pesticides used each day. The TSH, FT3, T3, and T4 levels of conventional farmers were 1.6, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.1 times higher than those of organic farmers, respectively, after adjusting for covariates. Several specific herbicides had a significant relationship between the amount applied and an increase in thyroid hormone levels, after covariate adjustment. They included: paraquat (TSH, FT3 and T3); acetochlor (FT4); atrazine (TSH, FT3 and T3); glyphosate (T4); diuron (TSH) and the “other” herbicides including alachlor, propanil, and butachlor (FT4 and T3). The most commonly used herbicide among conventional farmers was glyphosate, followed by paraquat, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). These findings suggest that exposure to pesticides could impact the development of metabolic diseases and other health outcomes by altering the endocrine system (the thyroid hormone levels) through the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis. This work is a part of a longitudinal study which will evaluate the sub-chronic effects of repeated exposure to different types of pesticides on thyroid hormone levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Pornpimol Kongtip & Noppanun Nankongnab & Nichcha Kallayanatham & Ritthirong Pundee & Nattagorn Choochouy & Jutharak Yimsabai & Susan Woskie, 2019. "Thyroid Hormones in Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2704-:d:252728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pornpimol Kongtip & Noppanun Nankongnab & Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul & Ariya Bunngamchairat & Jutharak Yimsabai & Aranya Pataitiemthong & Susan Woskie, 2018. "A Cross-Sectional Investigation of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Biomarkers among Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucas David & Michel Streith & Audrey Michaud & Michaël Dambrun, 2024. "Organic and Conventional Farmers’ Mental Health: A Preliminary Study on the Role of Social Psychological Mediators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Dian Mardhiyah & Wan Nedra Komaruddin & Fasli Nedra Jalal & Sri Wuryanti & Syukrini Bahri & Qomariah Qomariah & Insan Sosiawan & Himmi Marsiati & Legiono Legiono & Harliansyah Hanif & Susan Woskie & P, 2021. "Comparison of Thyroid Hormone Levels between Women Farmers and Non-Farmers in Banten Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.

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