Researchers studied the association between thyroid dysfunction in newborn babies and their exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for a study published in the journal PLOS One.

Blood umbilical cord and maternal blood levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were compared with thyroid hormone in the umbilical cord blood and a blood sample collected two days after birth.

POPs from in-utero exposure were found to disrupt thyroid function in newborns. The POPs were found to be at levels which generally occur in the population.

Adequate thyroid hormone level in-utero is crucial for normal neurological development. Inadequate thyroid during pregnancy can result in problems such as lower IQ, heart problems, and short stature.

All of these POPs are more toxic when iodine is deficient.

Unfortunately, iodine deficiency is occurring in the vast majority of Americans. One way to diminish the toxicity of POPs and other endocrine disrupting chemicals is to ensure adequate iodine intake.