Association Between Pyrethroid Exposure Levels and Obesity/Cardiovascular Indicators in Korean Adults: Focused on the 2nd National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014)

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated associations between urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a metabolite of pyrethroids, and cardiometabolic indicators in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults using data from the 2nd Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014). Methods: Urinary 3-PBA concentrations were creatinine-adjusted; participants with urinary creatinine < 0.3 or > 3.0 g/L were excluded. Associations with triglycerides, BMI, HDL cholesterol, TSH, and T4 were analyzed using non-parametric tests and multiple regression, with additional verification through log-transformed variables and multiple-comparison control. Results: Urinary 3-PBA levels were higher in females, increased with age, and were elevated among rural residents and frequent pesticide users. Triglycerides and TSH showed positive associations with 3-PBA, whereas T4 showed a negative association. BMI displayed a weak negative correlation without consistent significance, and HDL cholesterol was not statistically significant. In multiple regression models, triglycerides, TSH, and T4 remained significantly associated with urinary 3-PBA. Conclusions: Statistically significant associations were observed between urinary 3-PBA concentrations and several cardiometabolic indicators, including triglycerides, TSH, and T4, in Korean adults. These findings suggest that even low-level environmental exposure to pyrethroids may influence lipid metabolism and thyroid function. Given the cross-sectional design and the short biological half-life of 3-PBA, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causation, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies and continued biomonitoring.