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 |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
parabens
6 of 6 found
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
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 0.0558 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 0.0543 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 4 of 20 people in the group (vs. 5 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 9, Natalie Klapper, Erin Schrode, Laurie Mittelmann
| 0.0799 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 0.608 |
| | ||
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 1.07 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 0.744 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 17 of 20 people in the group (vs. 18 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Rizza Alcaria, Hope Atkins, Erin Schrode, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 9, Caroline Burlingame, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 21, Donalin Cazeau, Sarah Oswald, Laurie Mittelmann, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Jessica Assaf, Anonymous Teen 11, Emma Spencer, Jenny Gilbertson
| 0.268 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 78.7 |
| | ||
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 2.47 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 1.61 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 17 of 20 people in the group (vs. 21 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 9, Rizza Alcaria, Natalie Klapper, Caroline Burlingame, Sydney Blankers, Asta Haman-Dicko, Laurie Mittelmann, Anonymous Teen 21, Monica Paulson, Sarah Oswald, Hope Atkins, Christa Heffron, Emma Spencer, Donalin Cazeau, Anonymous Teen 11, Jenny Gilbertson, Jessica Assaf
| 0.54 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 138 |
| | ||
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 0.525 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 0.398 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 8 of 20 people in the group (vs. 8 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Rizza Alcaria, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 9, Jessica Assaf, Sarah Oswald, Jenny Gilbertson, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 11
| 0.397 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 20.7 |
| | ||
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 115 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 77.7 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, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 21, Jenny Gilbertson, Asta Haman-Dicko, Jessica Assaf, Sydney Blankers, Hope Atkins, Donalin Cazeau, Anonymous Teen 11, Laurie Mittelmann
| 6.47 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2920 |
| | ||
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- geometric mean: 19.6 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 11.2 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 26 of 28 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Natalie Klapper, Erin Schrode, Monica Paulson, Christa Heffron, Caroline Burlingame, Sarah Oswald, Anonymous Teen 9, Alex Wells, Jessica Assaf, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 11, Anonymous Teen 20, Jenny Gilbertson, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 21, Asta Haman-Dicko, Donalin Cazeau, Hope Atkins, Sydney Blankers, Laurie Mittelmann
| 0.786 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 898 |
| | ||
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. 10.1 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
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
Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- geometric mean: 39.9 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 18.4 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 5,379 of 5,479 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 21, Hope Atkins, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Sydney Blankers, Monica Paulson, Caroline Burlingame, Erin Schrode, Emma Spencer, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 9, Laurie Mittelmann, Anonymous Teen 11, Jenny Gilbertson, Jessica Assaf, Donalin Cazeau, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 20, Asta Haman-Dicko, Sarah Oswald
| 5.64 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 6960 |
| | ||
Mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- geometric mean: 31.9 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 12.7 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 5,364 of 5,479 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 21, Hope Atkins, Christa Heffron, Monica Paulson, Sydney Blankers, Alex Wells, Caroline Burlingame, Emma Spencer, Erin Schrode, Anonymous Teen 9, Rizza Alcaria, Laurie Mittelmann, Donalin Cazeau, Anonymous Teen 11, Jessica Assaf, Jenny Gilbertson, Natalie Klapper, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 20, Sarah Oswald
| 5.98 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2850 |
| | ||
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics. Linked to male reproductive issues in people and animals.
- geometric mean: 5.9 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 2.96 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 7,143 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Christa Heffron, Monica Paulson, Anonymous Teen 21, Alex Wells, Caroline Burlingame, Hope Atkins, Emma Spencer, Sydney Blankers, Erin Schrode, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 11, Donalin Cazeau, Jenny Gilbertson, Laurie Mittelmann, Anonymous Teen 9, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 20, Jessica Assaf, Asta Haman-Dicko, Sarah Oswald
| 1.45 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 829 |
| | ||
Formed from dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish, cosmetics, and other consumer products; linked to birth defects and male reproductive issues.
- geometric mean: 48.4 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 20.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 7,916 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Sydney Blankers, Christa Heffron, Anonymous Teen 21, Hope Atkins, Anonymous Teen 20, Natalie Klapper, Rizza Alcaria, Alex Wells, Monica Paulson, Anonymous Teen 9, Jessica Assaf, Donalin Cazeau, Jenny Gilbertson, Emma Spencer, Asta Haman-Dicko, Laurie Mittelmann, Erin Schrode, Sarah Oswald, Anonymous Teen 11, Caroline Burlingame
| 7.53 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 250 |
| | ||
Breakdown product of benzylbutyl phthalate, used in vinyl flooring, car-care products, some cosmetics. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- geometric mean: 15.4 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 13.6 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 7,917 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jessica Assaf, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Erin Schrode, Laurie Mittelmann, Donalin Cazeau, Anonymous Teen 21, Natalie Klapper, Jenny Gilbertson, Rizza Alcaria, Monica Paulson, Asta Haman-Dicko, Caroline Burlingame, Sydney Blankers, Anonymous Teen 9, Sarah Oswald, Hope Atkins, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 20, Anonymous Teen 11
| 2.73 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 436 |
| | ||
Breakdown product of diethyl phthalate, used in consumer products, fragrances. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- geometric mean: 74.6 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 166 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 20 of 20 people in the group (vs. 7,922 of 8,015 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Emma Spencer, Jessica Assaf, Erin Schrode, Anonymous Teen 20, Sarah Oswald, Christa Heffron, Caroline Burlingame, Anonymous Teen 9, Alex Wells, Anonymous Teen 21, Monica Paulson, Asta Haman-Dicko, Hope Atkins, Natalie Klapper, Donalin Cazeau, Anonymous Teen 11, Sydney Blankers, Rizza Alcaria, Jenny Gilbertson, Laurie Mittelmann
| 9.38 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 849 |
| | ||
Breakdown product of dimethyl phthalate, used in insect repellant, plastic, rocket propellant. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems in people.
- geometric mean: 4.17 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 1.31 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 13 of 20 people in the group (vs. 4,274 of 5,479 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Hope Atkins, Erin Schrode, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 9, Donalin Cazeau, Alex Wells, Anonymous Teen 11, Sarah Oswald, Natalie Klapper, Rizza Alcaria, Jenny Gilbertson, Laurie Mittelmann, Christa Heffron
| 3.25 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 323 |
| | ||
nitro- and polycylic- musks
2 of 11 found
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
Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, detergents, soaps. Can irritate the skin and bioaccumulate in people. Suspected hormone disruptor.
- geometric mean: 0.0414 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.0353 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 5 of 17 people in the group (vs. 5 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Rizza Alcaria, Natalie Klapper, Anonymous Teen 21, Jessica Assaf, Asta Haman-Dicko
| 0.0634 | ng/g in blood serum | 0.105 |
| | ||
Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, cleaning agents, detergents, air fresheners, perfumes. Suspected hormone disruptor. Prevents cells from blocking entry of toxins in animal study. Bioaccumulative.
- geometric mean: 0.111 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.139 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 10 of 17 people in the group (vs. 26 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Teen 20, Asta Haman-Dicko, Caroline Burlingame, Alex Wells, Anonymous Teen 21, Jenny Gilbertson, Rizza Alcaria, Sydney Blankers, Donalin Cazeau, Emma Spencer
| 0.0547 | ng/g in blood serum | 3.6 |
| | ||
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.)
