Pet tags help scientist link chemical exposure to hyperthyroidism in cats

Feline hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine-related disease of older cats. The first case was diagnosed in 1979, around the same time household flame retardants were introduced. Researchers have now associated hyperthyroidism with another class of flame retardants, using silicone pet tags. The study evaluated 78 housecats seven years and older, half with hyperthyroidism and half without. They gave the cats' owners silicone tags to put on their pets. After the cats had worn the tags for seven days, the researchers analyzed the silicone and found higher levels of Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-isopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) c from those cats with hyperthyroidism. Among non-hyperthyroid cats, TDCIPP exposure correlated with serum concentrations of a hormone elevated in hyperthyroidism. Higher TDCIPP exposures were associated with air freshener use, houses built since 2005 and cats that prefer to nap on upholstered furniture.

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Pet tags link widely used flame retardant to hyperthyroidism in cats