Ethylene thiourea: thyroid function in two groups of exposed workers

Br J Ind Med. 1984 Aug;41(3):362-6. doi: 10.1136/oem.41.3.362.

Abstract

Ethylene thiourea is manufactured at one factory in the United Kingdom and is mixed into masterbatch rubber at another. Clinical examinations and thyroid function tests were carried out over a period of three years on eight process workers and five mixers and on matched controls. The results show that the exposed mixers, but not exposed process workers, have significantly lower levels of total thyroxine (T4) than the controls. One mixer had an appreciably raised level of thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemical Industry*
  • Ethylenethiourea / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / blood
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Thyroid Diseases / blood
  • Thyroid Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Thyroid Function Tests / methods*
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Thyroxine / blood

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Ethylenethiourea
  • Thyrotropin
  • Thyroxine