GROUP:
Gomer Wittink Family
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 29 | 23-35 | 36 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 29 | 22-35 | 36 |
| Brain and nervous system | 23 | 17-29 | 30 |
| Endocrine system | 12 | 10-14 | 14 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 10 | 9-10 | 10 |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 9 | 7-10 | 10 |
| Cancer | 9 | 8-9 | 9 |
bio- accumulative pollutants: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people | 18 | 14-21 | 22 |
Group members:
(2 People)
Locations:
Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC
Group: Gomer Wittink Family
Found 36-40 of 70 tested chemicals (2 participants)
The blood of the "Gomer Wittink Family" group contained 36-40 of 70 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to birth defects and developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and brain and nervous system toxicity.
Summary of chemicals found in Gomer Wittink Family
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| BADGE-4OH | 50% moderate | Endocrine system, Skin | Food can linings, dental sealants |
| Lead | 50% high 50% moderate | Brain and nervous system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water |
| Methylmercury | 50% high 50% moderate | Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | 100% moderate | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Phthalates | 100% high | Birth defects and developmental delays, Reproduction and fertility, Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | 100% moderate | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
bisphenol a & badge
1 of 2 found
Metabolite of BADGE, used to make metal food can linings. Linked to hormone activity, skin and immune system toxicity and cancer.
- geometric mean: 3.1 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 2 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Adelaide Gomer
| 3.02 | ng/mL in blood serum | 174 |
 | ||
metals
2 of 2 found
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: 2.59 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adelaide Gomer, Alicia Wittink
| 0.222 | ug/dL in whole blood | 4.7 |
|
| ||
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: 3.12 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Alicia Wittink, Adelaide Gomer
| 0.0735 | ug/L in whole blood | 25.9 |
|
| ||
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
5 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- geometric mean: 20.2 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 22.7 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 3,684 of 3,959 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adelaide Gomer, Alicia Wittink
| 2.63 | ng/mL in blood serum | 77.7 |
|
| ||
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
phthalates
6 of 7 found — see each chemical
In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.
- geometric mean: 1130 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Alicia Wittink, Adelaide Gomer
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
|
| ||
Total Phthalates
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
22-26 of 46 found — see each chemical
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- geometric mean: 25.1 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
[excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153] - found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Alicia Wittink, Adelaide Gomer
| 1.11 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 314 |
|
| ||
Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
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.)
