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Sunscreen chemicals may affect thyroid

GLASGOW, Scotland - April 6, 2006 (UPI) - Ultraviolet-absorbing chemicals used in sunscreens may disturb production of thyroid hormone, according to German researchers.

Study leader Josef Kohrle of Charite University in Berlin exposed rates to the UV-absorbing chemicals 4MBC and benzophenone 2 (BP2) for five days. He discovered the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone was significantly raised.

"This change in thyroid hormone levels is typical of the early stages of hypothyroidism," Kohrle said. "In addition to changes in hormonal levels, we also saw a significant increase in the weight of the thyroid glands. These results indicate that 4MBC is a potent inhibitor of the pituitary-thyroid system in rats."

However, Kohrle commented that these initial studies need to be tested in humans before coming to any conclusions.

"Sunscreens have a beneficial effect in protecting against skin cancer, and so the last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure might be better, too," he added.

The finding was presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Source: http://www.foodconsumer.org

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