Studies show perchlorate’s direct effects on human health are limited to the thyroid gland. High levels of perchlorate can prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing iodide (which it uses to make hormones) from the bloodstream. This is called Iodine Uptake Inhibition, or “IUI.” This is not dangerous as the body automatically compensates for IUI. Further, perchlorate-induced changes to thyroid function have not been demonstrated in studies of humans exposed to perchlorate.
