One of the most significant articles to catch my eye was a recent correlation between feline hyperthyroidism and flame retardants found in almost all of our everyday household articles, and even seafood-based canned cat foods.
The Environmental Protection Agency analyzed blood samples from 23 cats, 11 of which had feline hyperthyroidism. The eleven hyperthyroid cats also had elevated levels of an environmental contaminant called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). PBDE levels were almost three times higher in the hyperthyroid cats as compared with the cats who were not hyperthyroid.

Increased levels of PBDE's were also found in wet cat foods that contained seafood.
PBDE's have been shown to leak out of the household products and enter the environment, where they don't break down very easily. The compound does accumulate in body tissues and can affect the endocrine system.
23 samples is not a very large study, so further evaluation does need to be done. However, it is a very significant article, because feline hyperthyroidism is a very common finding in cats over 10 years of age. It is also significant because these cats may be the "canaries in the coal mine" alerting us to possible potential human health hazards to come from exposure to these chemicals in our everyday life.