GROUP:

Adults

health & safety concerns:	chemicals found
	on average	indivi- dual range	entire group
Birth defects and developmental delays	30	3-222	271
Brain and nervous system	26	2-204	237
Reproduction and fertility	21	3-95	140
Cancer	17	1-198	234
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	33	2-182	219
Endocrine system	8	1-32	62
Gastrointestinal (including liver)	7	2-78	102

bio- accumulative pollutants:	chemicals found
	on average	indivi- dual range	entire group
Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people	14	4-116	143

Group members:

(75 People)

Andrea Martin
Davis Baltz
Lucy Waletsky
Michael Lerner
Sharyle Patton
Lexi Rome
Monique Harden
Charlotte Brody
Anonymous Adult 1
Kathy Fowler
Jenna Meyer
Katrina Alcorn
Tiffany Kimball
Teri Olle
Margaret Hardin
Susan Comfort
Angela Strother
Jill
Anonymous
Rani Corey-Sheaffer
Anonymous
Meredith Buhalis
Darcy White
Jennifer Scheinz
Laurie Yung
Lisa
Anonymous
Leila Feldman
Susanne Green
Erika Schreder
Participant #2
Participant #8
Kelsey Wirth
Michael Goodstein
Margie Roswell
Nora Pouillon
Stephanie Berger
Participant #10
Adelaide Gomer
Ann Hunter-Welborn
Jesse Johnson
Anonymous Adult
Winsome McIntosh
Judi Shils
Participant #18
Lynde Uihlein
Participant #2
Jessica Welborn
Alicia Wittink
Irene Crowe
Martha Davis
Participant #6
Annette Gellert
Landon Gellert
Sara Corbett
Anonymous Mom #17
Bronwyn
Mary Brune
Tess
Anonymous Mom #13
Laura Spark
Anonymous Mom #11
Susanne Fleek
Christi
Erika Schreder
Laurie Yung
Hillary Dickman
Jennifer Scheinz
Teri Olle
Greta Hardin
Katrina Alcorn
Susan Comfort
Tracy Herndon
Maija West
Liz

Locations:

Sausalito, CA
Berkeley, CA
Pleasantville, NY
Bolinas, CA
Mill Valley, CA
New Orleans, LA
Round Hill, VA
Rockville, MD
San Francisco, CA
Oakland, CA
La Habra Heights, CA
Evergreen, CO
Washington, DC
Gainesville, FL
Canton, GA
Dorchester, MA
Jamiaca Plain, MA
Ann Arbor, MI
Raytown, MO
Helena, MT
Missoula, MT
Portland, OR
Nashville, TN
Austin, TX
Burke, VA
Seattle, WA
Silver Spring, MD
Cambridge, MA
Bethesda, MD
Baltimore, MD
CA, USA
Ithaca, NY
Encinitas, CA
New York, NY
Ross, CA
VA, USA
Milwaukee, WI
CO, USA
Littleton, CO
MD, USA
Belvedere, CA
NY, USA
Riverside, CA
Alameda, CA
Boston, MA
Anchorage, AK
Minneapolis, MN
Colorado Springs, CO
Lake Forest Park, WA
Taos, NM
Clinton, CT

Group: Adults
Found 358-434 of 531 tested chemicals (75 participants)

The blood and urine of the "Adults" group contained 358-434 of 531 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to birth defects and developmental delays, brain and nervous system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity and fertility problems.

Summary of chemicals found in Adults

chemical family	level found in group	health effects	exposure routes
Alkylphenols	38% found, not quantified	Reproduction and fertility, Endocrine system	Cosmetics, detergents, pesticides, paints, carpet and dry cleaning
Arsenic (inorganic only)	13% high	Cancer, Gastrointestinal (including liver)	Pressure-treated (outdoor) wood, contaminated drinking water
BADGE-4OH	35% high 47% moderate	Endocrine system, Skin	Food can linings, dental sealants
Bisphenol A	39% high 6% low	Reproduction and fertility, Endocrine system, Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer	Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants
Brominated dioxins & furans	50% moderate	Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Cadmium	38% high	Cancer, Kidney and renal system	Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air
Chlorinated dioxins & furans	40% high 60% moderate	Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Lead	56% high 44% moderate	Brain and nervous system, Birth defects and developmental delays	Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Methylmercury	65% high 26% moderate 6% low	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system	Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)	11% high 11% moderate 42% low	Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Reproduction and fertility	Contaminated food and drinking water
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)	38% high 38% moderate 25% low	Brain and nervous system	Contaminated food and drinking water
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)	33% high 44% moderate 22% low	Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system	Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Phthalates	19% high 38% moderate 12% low	Reproduction and fertility, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system	Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)	50% moderate 50% low	Cancer, Reproduction and fertility	Air polluted by vehicles or factories, burned and fatty food
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)	12% high 58% moderate 30% low	Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system	Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)	9% high 91% moderate	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs)	50% high 50% moderate	Skin, Gastrointestinal (including liver)	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)	100% found, not quantified	Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Kidney and renal system	Contaminated indoor and outdoor air

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

alkylphenols

1 of 1 found — see each chemical

Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.

• geometric mean: results not quantified
• found in 3 of 8 people in the group (vs. 3 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Charlotte Brody

found in 3 of 8 members of the group, but not quantified

bisphenol a & badge

2 of 2 found

BADGE-4OH

Metabolite of BADGE, used to make metal food can linings. Linked to hormone activity, skin and immune system toxicity and cancer.

• geometric mean: 12.6 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 14 of 17 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Anonymous Adult, Annette Gellert, Judi Shils, Landon Gellert, Adelaide Gomer, Winsome McIntosh, Irene Crowe, Participant #2, Jessica Welborn, Participant #18, Participant #6, Jesse Johnson, Participant #10, Martha Davis

3.02	ng/mL in blood serum	174

Bisphenol A

Detected in polycarbonate plastic, dental sealants, and resins that line metal cans. Linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, cancer with effects at very low doses.

Bisphenol A were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 7 of the 17 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 1.21 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 0.456 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 7 of 17 people in the group (vs. 16 of 51 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Participant #18, Judi Shils, Anonymous Adult, Winsome McIntosh, Jesse Johnson, Participant #6, Jessica Welborn

0.445	ng/mL in blood serum	8.61

brominated dioxins & furans

2 of 12 found — see each chemical

Contaminants in flame retardants, pollutants from plastics. May harm hormone system.

• geometric mean: 2.82 pg/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 14.8 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 1 of 2 people in the group (vs. 2,163 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Anonymous Adult 1

7.72	pg/g lipids in blood serum	1440

chlorinated dioxins & furans

16 of 17 found — see each chemical

Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.

• geometric mean: 606 pg/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 14 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 10 of 10 people in the group (vs. 2,725 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Michael Lerner, Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1, Davis Baltz, Charlotte Brody, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Andrea Martin

5	pg/g lipids in blood serum	1860

metals

4 of 5 found

Arsenic (inorganic only)

Known human carcinogen in pressure-treated wood and food. Common tap water pollutant.

• geometric mean: 1.46 ppb in urine (vs. 1.4 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 1 of 8 people in the group (vs. 1 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Michael Lerner

21	ppb in urine	21

Cadmium

In batteries, pigments, coatings, plastic and cigarette smoke. Cadmium causes cancer and is linked to birth defects and kidney damage.

• geometric mean: 0.353 ppb in urine (vs. 0.339 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 3 of 8 people in the group (vs. 3 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Lexi Rome, Andrea Martin, Monique Harden

0.5	ppb in urine	0.7

Lead

Neurotoxic heavy metal linked to IQ deficits and behavioral problems. Found in dust from chipping lead paint in older homes, and in some tap water.

• geometric mean: 2.58 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 25 of 25 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Landon Gellert, Lexi Rome, Jessica Welborn, Judi Shils, Winsome McIntosh, Annette Gellert, Sharyle Patton, Adelaide Gomer, Jesse Johnson, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Charlotte Brody, Participant #10, Lynde Uihlein, Monique Harden, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Michael Lerner, Alicia Wittink, Participant #6, Andrea Martin, Martha Davis, Participant #18, Participant #2, Irene Crowe, Anonymous Adult

0.222	ug/dL in whole blood	4.7

Methylmercury

Forms from mercury, a pollutant from coal-fired power plants and other sources. Methylmercury accumulates in seafood and harms brain development and function.

• geometric mean: 2.32 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 33 of 34 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Participant #10, Participant #2, Judi Shils, Participant #6, Kathy Fowler, Charlotte Brody, Margie Roswell, Davis Baltz, Alicia Wittink, Anonymous Adult 1, Kelsey Wirth, Jessica Welborn, Landon Gellert, Lexi Rome, Participant #8, Participant #18, Stephanie Berger, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Nora Pouillon, Sharyle Patton, Anonymous Adult, Michael Goodstein, Participant #2, Winsome McIntosh, Irene Crowe, Lynde Uihlein, Lucy Waletsky, Annette Gellert, Martha Davis, Adelaide Gomer, Jesse Johnson, Michael Lerner, Andrea Martin

0.0735	ug/L in whole blood	25.9

organochlorine pesticides (ocs)

26 of 31 found — see each chemical

Includes DDT, chlordane, other pesticides. Largely banned in the U.S. Build up in the human body over time. Cause cancer and reproductive harm.

Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 11 of the 11 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 4.47 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 186 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 11 of 11 people in the group (vs. 4,276 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Michael Lerner, Andrea Martin, Charlotte Brody, Davis Baltz, Monique Harden, Lexi Rome, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Sara Corbett, Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1

0.615	ng/g lipids in blood serum	2830

organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)

7 of 9 found — see each chemical

Breakdown products from pesticides, including Dursban, formerly used in homes and currently used on produce. Can damage brain development.

• geometric mean: 21.8 ppb in urine (vs. 22.6 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 8 of 8 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Michael Lerner, Lexi Rome, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Charlotte Brody, Monique Harden, Davis Baltz, Andrea Martin

4	ppb in urine	70.4

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

9 of 14 found — see each chemical

Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 2 of the 2 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 10.6 ng/g in whole blood (vs. 4.46 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 23 of 23 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Anonymous Adult 1, Kathy Fowler

0.736	ng/g in whole blood	27.8

phthalates

13 of 13 found — see each chemical

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

Phthalates were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 26 of the 26 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: results not quantified
• found in 8 of 8 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Andrea Martin, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Charlotte Brody

found in 8 of 8 members of the group, but not quantified

• geometric mean: 378 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 18 of 18 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Landon Gellert, Sara Corbett, Jessica Welborn, Winsome McIntosh, Participant #10, Lynde Uihlein, Participant #2, Martha Davis, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Participant #18, Irene Crowe, Annette Gellert, Judi Shils, Anonymous Adult, Participant #6, Jesse Johnson, Alicia Wittink, Adelaide Gomer

102	ug/g creatinine in urine	10800

polyaromatic hydrocarbons (pahs)

8 of 18 found — see each chemical

Pollutants from burning gasoline and garbage. Linked to cancer. Accumulate in food chain.

• geometric mean: 189 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 230 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 8 of 8 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1

130	ng/g lipids in blood serum	384

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

41-47 of 53 found — see each chemical

Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 40 of the 40 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 18.1 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
    [excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153]
• found in 40 of 40 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Judi Shils, Winsome McIntosh, Irene Crowe, Lynde Uihlein, Jesse Johnson, Landon Gellert, Liz, Participant #2, Tess, Laura Spark, Bronwyn, Anonymous Mom #11, Hillary Dickman, Teri Olle, Susan Comfort, Sara Corbett, Katrina Alcorn, Anonymous Adult, Anonymous Mom #17, Erika Schreder, Kathy Fowler, Alicia Wittink, Christi, Laurie Yung, Annette Gellert, Tracy Herndon, Anonymous Mom #13, Jessica Welborn, Jennifer Scheinz, Anonymous Adult 1, Participant #10, Mary Brune, Adelaide Gomer, Martha Davis, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Susanne Fleek, Maija West, Greta Hardin, Participant #18, Participant #6

1.11	ng/g lipids in blood serum	314

polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

117-168 of 209 found — see each chemical

Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.

• geometric mean: 125 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 9.81 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 11 of 11 people in the group (vs. 2,900 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Monique Harden, Sara Corbett, Kathy Fowler, Lucy Waletsky, Lexi Rome, Charlotte Brody, Davis Baltz, Anonymous Adult 1, Andrea Martin, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton

2.95	ng/g lipids in blood serum	600

polychlorinated naphthalenes (pcns)

38-58 of 70 found — see each chemical

Wood preservatives, varnishes, machine lubricating oils, waste incineration. Cause liver and kidney damage.

• geometric mean: 1.26 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 0.693 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 23 of 23 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1

0.0743	ng/g lipids in blood serum	3.43

volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)

73 of 76 found — see each chemical

Used in wide range of household, craft, and industrial products. Common tap water and air pollutants. Includes neurotoxins and carcinogens.

• geometric mean: results not quantified
• found in 8 of 8 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Andrea Martin, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Charlotte Brody

found in 8 of 8 members of the group, but not quantified

References/Notes

[1] CDC (2005). National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/. (Methylmercury results have been compared to total mercury in CDC biomonitoring.)