Your thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating your metabolism and energy use. There is growing evidence linking pesticides to thyroid problems. One study examines 16,500 women living in the US who were married to men seeking certification to use restricted pesticides. They found that 12.5% women had thyroid disease with 7% having underactive thyroids (hypothyroidism). In the general population, the rate of diagnosed thyroid disease ranges from 1 to 8%. The study found that organochlorine pesticide use was associated with a 1.2x > risk of hypothyroidism. Exposure to fungus killers 3x the chances of hypothyroidism. Maneb/mancozeb also 2x the women's risk of hyperthyroidism. The herbicide paraquat almost 2x the likelihood of hypothyroidism. Yet another example of how your environment can impact on your health.
Source: American Journal of Epidemiology.
