GROUP:
Males
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Brain and nervous system | 18 | 1-48 | 95 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 14 | 1-28 | 42 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 13 | 1-61 | 76 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 4 | 2-16 | 19 |
| Respiratory system | 3 | 1-4 | 5 |
| Endocrine system | 3 | 1-6 | 10 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 | 1-6 | 8 |
| Cancer | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
Group members:
(27 People)
Anonymous Adult 5
Anonymous Adult 6
Anonymous Adult 7
Anonymous Teen 1
Anonymous Adult 12
Anonymous Adult 11
Anonymous Adult 14
Anonymous Adult 15
Nicholas
Anonymous Adult 17
Anonymous Adult 18
Bill Moyers
Davis Baltz
Michael Lerner
Michael Goodstein
Participant #10
Fred Gellert
Jesse Johnson
Landon Gellert
Teo
Nicolas
Conner Adams
Elijah Scheinz
Tavin
Louis Comfort-Cohen
Zade Little
Evan
Locations:
Fredericksburg, VA
New York, NY
Lamont, FL
Atlanta, GA
Mountain View, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Berkeley, CA
NY, USA
San Francisco, CA
Alamo, CA
NJ, USA
Bolinas, CA
Bethesda, MD
CA, USA
Belvedere, CA
Riverside, CA
Portland, OR
Missoula, MT
Helena, MT
Lake Forest Park, WA
Washington, DC
Clinton, CT
Group: Males
Found 178-198 of 300 tested chemicals (27 participants)
The blood and urine of the "Males" group contained 178-198 of 300 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and immune system toxicity.
Summary of chemicals found in Males
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| Alkylphenols | 8% high | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, detergents, pesticides, paints, carpet and dry cleaning |
| Arsenic (inorganic only) | 33% high | Pressure-treated (outdoor) wood, contaminated drinking water | |
| BADGE-4OH | 29% high 50% moderate | Endocrine system | Food can linings, dental sealants |
| Bisphenol A | 7% high | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants | |
| Chlorinated dioxins & furans | 33% high 67% moderate | Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Lead | 29% high 59% moderate 12% low | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| Mercury | 80% high 20% low | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | 78% high 6% moderate 17% low | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | 10% high 70% moderate | Cancer, Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
| Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) | 50% low | Reproduction and fertility | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs) | 33% high 33% moderate 33% low | Brain and nervous system | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Perchlorate | 40% moderate 40% low | Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | 31% high 56% moderate 13% low | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Phthalates | 6% high 61% moderate 17% low | Endocrine system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | 5% high 73% moderate 23% low | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | 33% high 67% moderate | Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Triclosan | 73% found, not quantified | Endocrine system, Skin | Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items |
| Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) | 100% found, not quantified | Contaminated indoor and outdoor air |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
alkylphenols
2 of 2 found — see each chemical
Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.
Alkylphenols were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 2 of the 13 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 1 of 3 people in the group (vs. 3 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Michael Lerner
Total Alkylphenols
- geometric mean: 1.13 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 1.08 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 10 people in the group (vs. 2 of 19 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 18
| 1.4 | ng/g in blood serum | 3.3 |
 | ||
Total Alkylphenols
bisphenol a & badge
2 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: 11.9 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 11 of 14 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Adult 17, Landon Gellert, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 5, Jesse Johnson, Participant #10, Fred Gellert
| 3.02 | ng/mL in blood serum | 174 |
| ||
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.
- geometric mean: 1.04 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 0.456 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 14 people in the group (vs. 16 of 51 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Jesse Johnson
| 0.445 | ng/mL in blood serum | 8.61 |
|
| ||
chlorinated dioxins & furans
15 of 17 found — see each chemical
Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 559 pg/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 14 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 2,725 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Davis Baltz, Bill Moyers
| 5 | pg/g lipids in blood serum | 1860 |
|
| ||
Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans
metals
4 of 6 found
Known human carcinogen in pressure-treated wood and food. Common tap water pollutant.
- geometric mean: 2.76 ppb in urine (vs. 1.4 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 3 people in the group (vs. 1 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Michael Lerner
| 21 | ppb in urine | 21 |
|
| ||
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: 1.68 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 17 of 17 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 6, Landon Gellert, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 15, Fred Gellert, Anonymous Adult 17, Jesse Johnson, Davis Baltz, Participant #10, Anonymous Adult 7, Bill Moyers, Michael Lerner, Anonymous Adult 18
| 0.222 | ug/dL in whole blood | 4.7 |
|
| ||
Mercury is used in dental fillings and to preserve vaccines; it is also a common pollutant in seafood. Mercury harms brain development and function.
- geometric mean: 2.3 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 10 of 10 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 12
| 7E-05 | ug/L in whole blood | 12 |
|
| ||
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: 2.51 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 18 of 18 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Participant #10, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Teen 1, Davis Baltz, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 6, Landon Gellert, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 14, Bill Moyers, Michael Goodstein, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 7, Fred Gellert, Jesse Johnson, Michael Lerner
| 0.0735 | ug/L in whole blood | 25.9 |
|
| ||
nitro- and polycylic- musks
5 of 9 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 0.289 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 8 of 10 people in the group (vs. 35 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 12
| 0.0547 | ng/g in blood serum | 4.23 |
|
| ||
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
organochlorine pesticides (ocs)
5 of 23 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.
- geometric mean: 1.29 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 186 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 4,276 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Davis Baltz, Bill Moyers
| 0.615 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 2830 |
|
| ||
Total Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)
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: 19.6 ppb in urine (vs. 22.6 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz
| 4 | ppb in urine | 70.4 |
|
| ||
Total Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)
perchlorate
1 of 1 found
Explosive component of solid rocket and missile fuel. Widespread contaminant of food, drinking water, and people. Disrupts thyroid hormones, particularly in women with lower iodide intake; may harm brain development.
- geometric mean: 1.11 ug/L in urine (vs. 3.77 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 8 of 10 people in the group (vs. 2,818 of 2,818 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Teen 1
| 0.2 | ug/L in urine | 5.6 |
|
| ||
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
11 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 1 of the 1 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 38.4 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 27.3 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 8 of 8 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Michael Goodstein
| 8.51 | ng/g in blood serum | 59.7 |
|
| ||
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
phthalates
12 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 18 of the 18 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz, Michael Lerner
Total Phthalates
- geometric mean: 254 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 15 of 15 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 17, Landon Gellert, Anonymous Adult 18, Nicholas, Fred Gellert, Anonymous Adult 14, Participant #10, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 15, Jesse Johnson
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
|
| ||
Total Phthalates
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
31-35 of 50 found — see each chemical
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- geometric mean: 26.9 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
[excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153] - found in 22 of 22 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jesse Johnson, Landon Gellert, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 18, Fred Gellert, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 11, Nicolas, Participant #10, Anonymous Adult 15, Evan, Conner Adams, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 5, Louis Comfort-Cohen, Teo, Tavin , Zade Little, Elijah Scheinz
| 1.11 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 314 |
|
| ||
Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
36-52 of 77 found — see each chemical
Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.
- geometric mean: 206 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 9.81 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 2,900 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Davis Baltz, Michael Lerner, Bill Moyers
| 2.95 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 600 |
|
| ||
Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
triclosan
1 of 1 found
Antibacterial agent (pesticide) in liquid hand soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, footwear, and plastic products labeled "antibacterial." Triclosan may disrupt thyroid hormones, and can form several chemicals with health and environmental concerns.
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 8 of 11 people in the group (vs. 17 of 21 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Adult 18
volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)
46 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 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz, Michael Lerner
Total Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)
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.)
