GROUP:

Teenagers

health & safety concerns:	chemicals found
	on average	indivi- dual range	entire group
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	5	1-7	8
Respiratory system	4	3-4	4
Reproduction and fertility	9	1-28	33
Brain and nervous system	19	1-28	33
Chronic effects, general	3	2-4	4
Endocrine system	2	1-4	6
Skin	1	1-2	2
Gastrointestinal (including liver)	1	1-1	1

Group members:

(24 People)

Anonymous Teen 1
Nina Damato
Emily Sayrs
Heather Gellert
Anonymous Teen 20
Emma Spencer
Erin Schrode
Linda Loi
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:

Atlanta, GA
Washington, DC
Littleton, CO
Belvedere, CA
Austin, TX
Winchester, MA
Ross, CA
San Francisco, CA
Belmont, CA
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
San Leandro, CA
North Caldwell, NJ
Novato, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Portland, OR
Langhorne, PA
University Place, WA
Dorchester, MA
San Rafael, CA
Tuolumne, CA
Manteca, CA

Group: Teenagers
Found 59-63 of 93 tested chemicals (24 participants)

The blood and urine of the "Teenagers" group contained 59-63 of 93 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, respiratory system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity and fertility problems.

Summary of chemicals found in Teenagers

chemical family	level found in group	health effects	exposure routes
BADGE-4OH	33% high 33% moderate	Endocrine system	Food can linings, dental sealants
Lead	33% moderate 67% low		Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Mercury	100% low	Brain and nervous system	Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercury	75% high 25% low		Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Nitro- and polycylic- musks	11% high 44% moderate 17% low	Endocrine system, Cancer	Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
Parabens	35% high 50% moderate 15% low		Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications
Perchlorate	100% moderate	Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays	Contaminated food and drinking water
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)	75% moderate 25% low	Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system	Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Phthalates	22% high 65% moderate 13% low	Endocrine system	Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)	67% moderate 33% low	Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system	Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Triclosan	29% high 67% moderate	Endocrine system, Skin	Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

bisphenol a & badge

1 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: 15.4 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 2 of 3 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Emily Sayrs, Heather Gellert

3.02	ng/mL in blood serum	174

metals

3 of 3 found

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: 0.843 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Heather Gellert, Anonymous Teen 1, Emily Sayrs

0.222	ug/dL in whole blood	4.7

Mercury, total

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: 0.15 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Anonymous Teen 1

7E-05	ug/L in whole blood	12

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: 1.05 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 4 of 4 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Anonymous Teen 1, Emily Sayrs, Nina Damato, Heather Gellert

0.0735	ug/L in whole blood	25.9

nitro- and polycylic- musks

2 of 11 found — see each chemical

Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.

• geometric mean: 0.145 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 13 of 18 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, Linda Loi, Jenny Gilbertson, Anonymous Teen 1, Sydney Blankers, Rizza Alcaria, Donalin Cazeau, Emma Spencer

0.0547	ng/g in blood serum	4.23

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, Linda Loi, 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

perchlorate

1 of 1 found

Perchlorate

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: 5.6 ug/L in urine (vs. 3.77 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 2,818 of 2,818 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: 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: 22.7 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: Nina Damato

8.51	ng/g in blood serum	59.7

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: 312 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 23 of 23 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Linda Loi, Christa Heffron, Alex Wells, Erin Schrode, Monica Paulson, Hope Atkins, Emma Spencer, Anonymous Teen 9, Sydney Blankers, Jessica Assaf, Caroline Burlingame, Heather Gellert, Anonymous Teen 1, Donalin Cazeau, Natalie Klapper, Rizza Alcaria, Anonymous Teen 20, Asta Haman-Dicko, Anonymous Teen 11, Emily Sayrs, Jenny Gilbertson, Sarah Oswald, Laurie Mittelmann

102	ug/g creatinine in urine	10800

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

27-31 of 46 found — see each chemical

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

• geometric mean: 18.9 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
    [excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153]
• found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Heather Gellert, Anonymous Teen 1, Emily Sayrs

1.11	ng/g lipids in blood serum	314

triclosan

1 of 1 found

Triclosan

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.

Triclosan were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 21 of the 21 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: results not quantified
• found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 17 of 21 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Anonymous Teen 1

found in 1 of 1 members of the group, but not quantified

• 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, Linda Loi, 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

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.)