This review presents the definition of main groups of organic chlorinated pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzodioxines, dibenzofurans, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane, DDT etc.). Moreover, the similarity of their effects with those of steroid and thyroid hormones either via steroid/thyroid receptor or via specific Ah-receptor is described. Special attention is paid to their effects on the thyroid gland in experimental conditions as well as on professionally and nonprofessionally exposed population. Finally, own preliminary data are presented which were obtained by the examination of 249 employees of the factory Chemko producing polychlorinated biphenyls in 1955-85 as compared with control groups of 218 adults from Moldava, Trebisov and Kosice and 278 women from Orava. In women from Chemko the frequency of thyroid volumes (by ultrasound) over 22,1 ml was 40/202, while that from Moldava was 16/170 (p < 0.001). In the employees of Chemko also significantly higher frequency of thyroid antibodies anti-thyroperoxidase, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-TST-receptor was found.

Keywords: Animals; Environmental Pollutants /adverse effects/; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Polychlorinated Biphenyls /adverse effects/; Thyroid Gland /drug effects/