What are the effects of perchlorate exposure?
Perchlorate affects the ability of the thyroid gland to take up iodine, an important chemical needed to make hormones that regulate many body functions after they are released into the blood. There is concern that people exposed to high amounts of perchlorate for a long time may develop a low level of thyroid activity (hypothyroidism). Low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood can lead to adverse effects on the skin, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, liver, blood, neuromuscular system, nervous system, skeleton, male and female reproductive system, and numerous endocrine organs.
