[Role of some environmental factors in the development of endemic goiter (a review)].

The review presents possible causes of endemic goiter since only iodine deficiency fails to explain such a great spread of this disease. Etiological factors of endemic goiter, such as the imbalance of trace elements, the use of contaminated drinking water, the toxic action of chemicals, exposure to ionizing radiation, genetic factors, are discussed. Prevalence rates of endemic goiter in Russia and other countries of the world are presented. The causes of a significant increase in the incidence of this disease are discussed.