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Gregory A. Brent, The Impact of Perchlorate Exposure in Early Pregnancy: Is It Safe to Drink the Water?, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 95, Issue 7, 1 July 2010, Pages 3154–3157, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2010-0979
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A large number of environmental agents have been identified that interfere with thyroid function, including those that target thyroid hormone production, metabolism, transport, and action (1, 2). Perchlorate (ClO4−) is an inorganic anion that blocks iodine uptake into the thyroid and, at sufficiently high levels and duration of exposure, impairs thyroid hormone production (3). It has been used therapeutically in limited clinical situations, such as for hyperthyroidism associated with amiodarone (typical dose up to 1000 mg/d along with antithyroid drug for 40 d) (3, 4). Perchlorate is water soluble and very stable and is found in municipal water supplies, in crops irrigated with perchlorate-containing water, and even in breast milk (3, 4). It is used in manufacturing solid rocket fuel, matches, airbag inflation systems, and fireworks. There is also natural formation of perchlorate in the atmosphere that accumulates in groundwater and soil, and it has been detected around the world (3, 4). The principal areas of concern over the health consequences of perchlorate exposure have been the effects in susceptible populations such as pregnant women and young children, the role of low iodine intake in increasing perchlorate toxicity, and the permissible levels of perchlorate in the water supply (2, 3–5).
