Toxicology review and risk assessment of resorcinol: thyroid effects

Lynch, BS; Delzell, ES; Bechtel, DH

HERO ID

1417601

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

2002

Language

English

PMID

12460754

HERO ID 1417601
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 2002
Title Toxicology review and risk assessment of resorcinol: thyroid effects
Authors Lynch, BS; Delzell, ES; Bechtel, DH
Journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology
Volume 36
Issue 2
Page Numbers 198-210
Abstract Resorcinol administered at high doses to rodents can disrupt thyroid hormone synthesis and can produce goitrogenic effects. These effects were not seen in a 2-year bioassay at doses of up to 520 mg/kg/day. There are species-specific differences in synthesis, binding, and transport of thyroid hormone that complicate interpretation of goitrogenesis in rodents. Clinical case reports from patients undergoing resorcinol therapy for dermatological indications reveal thyroid side effects when copious amounts of resorcinol-containing ointments are applied to integrity-compromised skin for months to years. Effect levels were greater than 34 mg/kg/day. Occupational epidemiology studies provide no evidence that exposure to resorcinol at levels greater than found in the general environment causes thyroid dysfunction. Studies investigating the relationship between endemic goiter and exposure to "phenolics," including resorcinol, in drinking water do not fulfill accepted scientific criteria for establishing resorcinol as a cause of thyroid disease. Those reports neither quantify exposure levels nor demonstrate dose-response relationships or rule out confounding by the multiple other chemicals present in water supplies, by bacterial contamination of water, or by nutritional factors. A risk assessment comparing potential worst-case exposures to resorcinol through its use in dermatological preparations supports the conclusion that under real-world conditions, human exposures to resorcinol are not expected to cause adverse effects on thyroid function.
Doi 10.1006/rtph.2002.1585
Pmid 12460754
Wosid WOS:000179213700007
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English