Determination of exposure to major iodide ion uptake inhibitors through drinking waters

Goiter, abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a significant worldwide public health problem. Iodine deficiency is known as the most common cause. Iodine is actively transported as iodide ion (I-) using Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) and sufficient blocking of I- transportation prevents the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The transportation can be blocked by some polyatomic anions known as I- uptake inhibitors. Perchlorate (ClO4-), thiocyanate (SCN-) and nitrate (NO3-) are reported as the major I- uptake inhibitors and exposure could be through various routes. Drinking water is an important exposure route. Since water is essential to sustain life, drinking water safety is very important for the protection of public health. However, as a result of natural and human-based processes, water can be contaminated and contamination of drinking water is a global food safety problem due to causing significant health and environmental problemsIn that context, this study aims to determine exposure levels to I- uptake inhibitors that arise from drinking waters at five different districts in Antalya, Turkey. Collected water samples contained NO3- and ClO4- in the range of 0.86-47.42 mg/L and