Bioanalytical and instrumental analysis of thyroid hormone disrupting compounds in water sources along the Yangtze River

► First of all, we indicated the instrumentally derived l-3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) equivalents (T3-EQs) and thyroid receptor (TR) antagonist activity equivalents referring to DBP (DBP-EQs) for the very first time. ► Secondly, high concentrations of DBP and DEHP might be responsible for the observed TR antagonist activities at some locations. ► Finally, we found that thyroid receptor (TR) antagonist activities were very common in Yangtze River. More attentions should be paid to the TR antagonist activities and the responsible compounds.