GROUP:
EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 | 5-7 | 7 |
| Respiratory system | 4 | 4-4 | 4 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 | 2-4 | 4 |
| Endocrine system | 2 | 1-4 | 4 |
| Skin | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Cancer | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
Group members:
(20 People)
Anonymous Teen 20
Emma Spencer
Erin Schrode
Anonymous Teen 21
Sydney Blankers
Sarah Oswald
Asta Haman-Dicko
Laurie Mittelmann
Jenny Gilbertson
Anonymous Teen 11
Anonymous Teen 9
Christa Heffron
Caroline Burlingame
Monica Paulson
Donalin Cazeau
Natalie Klapper
Jessica Assaf
Hope Atkins
Rizza Alcaria
Alex Wells
Locations:
San Rafael, CA
Ross, CA
San Leandro, CA
Tuolumne, CA
Manteca, CA
Washington, DC
Austin, TX
Winchester, MA
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Belmont, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Langhorne, PA
North Caldwell, NJ
University Place, WA
Dorchester, MA
Novato, CA
Group: EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
Found 16 of 25 tested chemicals (20 participants)
The blood and urine of the "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens" group contained 16 of 25 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, respiratory system toxicity, and chronic effects.
Summary of chemicals found in EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| Parabens | 35% high 50% moderate 15% low | Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications | |
| Triclosan | 30% high 70% moderate | Endocrine system, Skin | Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items |
| Phthalates | 20% high 65% moderate 15% low | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | 12% high 41% moderate 18% low | Endocrine system, Cancer | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
parabens
6 of 6 found — see each chemical
Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 157 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 101 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 28 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Erin Schrode, Natalie Klapper, Caroline Burlingame, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Monica Paulson, Sarah Oswald, Anonymous Teen 20, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 9, Anonymous Teen 21, Emma Spencer, Jenny Gilbertson, Asta Haman-Dicko, Jessica Assaf, Sydney Blankers, Anonymous Teen 11, Hope Atkins, Donalin Cazeau, Laurie Mittelmann
| 8.39 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 3820 |
    | ||
Total Parabens
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: 8.58 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 6.47 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 1,862 of 2,612 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Monica Paulson, Anonymous Teen 20, Anonymous Teen 21, Caroline Burlingame, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 11, Jessica Assaf, Emma Spencer, Sydney Blankers, Donalin Cazeau, Alex Wells, Erin Schrode, Laurie Mittelmann, Hope Atkins, Sarah Oswald, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 9, Christa Heffron, Jenny Gilbertson, Rizza Alcaria
| 0.43 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 350 |
| | ||
phthalates
7 of 7 found — see each chemical
In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.
- geometric mean: 300 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 21, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Erin Schrode, Monica Paulson, Hope Atkins, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 9, Sydney Blankers, Jessica Assaf, Caroline Burlingame, Donalin Cazeau, Natalie Klapper, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 20, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 11, Jenny Gilbertson, Sarah Oswald, Laurie Mittelmann
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
| | ||
Total Phthalates
nitro- and polycylic- musks
2 of 11 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 0.137 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 12 of 17 people in the group (vs. 35 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 20, Natalie Klapper, Jessica Assaf, Caroline Burlingame, Alex Wells, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 21, Jenny Gilbertson, Sydney Blankers, Rizza Alcaria, Donalin Cazeau, Emma Spencer
| 0.0547 | ng/g in blood serum | 4.23 |
| | ||
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
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.)
