GROUP:
Women of childbearing age (19-45)
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Brain and nervous system | 31 | 1-196 | 215 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 23 | 1-67 | 76 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 28 | 1-175 | 191 |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 12 | 1-55 | 61 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 5 | 2-15 | 19 |
| Endocrine system | 2 | 1-5 | 7 |
| Cancer | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 | 1-5 | 7 |
Group members:
(34 People)
Anonymous Adult 9
Anonymous Adult 13
Anonymous Adult 10
Monique Harden
Anonymous Adult 1
Kathy Fowler
Jenna Meyer
Katrina Alcorn
Tiffany Kimball
Teri Olle
Margaret Hardin
Susan Comfort
Angela Strother
Jill
Anonymous
Rani Corey-Sheaffer
Anonymous
Meredith Buhalis
Darcy White
Jennifer Scheinz
Laurie Yung
Lisa
Anonymous
Leila Feldman
Susanne Green
Erika Schreder
Participant #8
Kelsey Wirth
Margie Roswell
Stephanie Berger
Jessica Welborn
Alicia Wittink
Vivian Chang
Jennifer Hill-Kelley
Locations:
Atlanta, GA
Stanford, CA
San Francisco, CA
New Orleans, LA
Rockville, MD
Oakland, CA
La Habra Heights, CA
Evergreen, CO
Washington, DC
Gainesville, FL
Canton, GA
Dorchester, MA
Jamiaca Plain, MA
Ann Arbor, MI
Raytown, MO
Helena, MT
Missoula, MT
Portland, OR
Nashville, TN
Austin, TX
Burke, VA
Seattle, WA
Cambridge, MA
Baltimore, MD
Bethesda, MD
Green Bay, WI
Group: Women of childbearing age (19-45)
Found 312-388 of 540 tested chemicals (34 participants)
The blood, urine, and breast milk of the "Women of childbearing age (19-45)" group contained 312-388 of 540 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 Women of childbearing age (19-45)
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| BADGE-4OH | 20% high 20% moderate | Endocrine system | Food can linings, dental sealants |
| Bisphenol A | 29% high 14% low | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants | |
| Brominated dioxins & furans | 50% moderate | Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Cadmium | 100% high | Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air | |
| 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 | 25% high 63% moderate 13% low | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| Mercury | 80% high 20% moderate | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | 50% high 43% moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | 60% high 40% moderate | Endocrine system, Cancer | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
| Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) | 50% high 50% moderate | Reproduction and fertility | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs) | 100% high | Brain and nervous system | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Perchlorate | 20% moderate 80% low | Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | 15% high 46% moderate 38% low | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Phthalates | 50% high 17% moderate 17% low | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | 50% moderate 50% low | Reproduction and fertility | Air polluted by vehicles or factories, burned and fatty food |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | 28% high 52% moderate 21% low | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | 100% moderate | Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) | 50% high 50% moderate | Gastrointestinal (including liver) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Triclosan | 100% 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)
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: 3.11 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 2 of 5 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 9, Jessica Welborn
| 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.
Bisphenol A were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 1 of the 5 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 1.21 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 0.456 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 5 people in the group (vs. 16 of 51 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Jessica Welborn
| 0.445 | ng/mL in blood serum | 8.61 |
|
| ||
brominated dioxins & furans
2 of 12 found — see each chemical
Contaminants in flame retardants, pollutants from plastics. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 2.82 pg/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 14.8 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 1 of 2 people in the group (vs. 2,163 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 1
| 7.72 | pg/g lipids in blood serum | 1440 |
|
| ||
Total Brominated dioxins & furans
chlorinated dioxins & furans
16 of 17 found — see each chemical
Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 444 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: Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1, Monique Harden
| 5 | pg/g lipids in blood serum | 1860 |
|
| ||
Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans
metals
4 of 6 found
In batteries, pigments, coatings, plastic and cigarette smoke. Cadmium causes cancer and is linked to birth defects and kidney damage.
- geometric mean: 0.7 ppb in urine (vs. 0.339 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 3 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Monique Harden
| 0.5 | ppb in urine | 0.7 |
|
| ||
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: 1.62 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 8 of 8 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Anonymous Adult 10, Jessica Welborn, Vivian Chang, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 9, Monique Harden, Alicia Wittink
| 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: 3.13 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 5 of 5 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Vivian Chang, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 10, Anonymous Adult 9
| 7.0E-5 | 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: 1.51 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 13 of 14 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Kathy Fowler, Margie Roswell, Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Alicia Wittink, Anonymous Adult 1, Kelsey Wirth, Vivian Chang, Jessica Welborn, Participant #8, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 9, Stephanie Berger, Anonymous Adult 10
| 0.0735 | ug/L in whole blood | 25.9 |
|
| ||
nitro- and polycylic- musks
4 of 10 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 0.874 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 5 of 5 people in the group (vs. 35 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 10, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 9, Vivian Chang, Jennifer Hill-Kelley
| 0.0547 | ng/g in blood serum | 4.23 |
|
| ||
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
organochlorine pesticides (ocs)
24 of 30 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.
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 3 of the 3 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 40.1 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: Monique Harden, Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1
| 0.615 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 2830 |
|
| ||
Total Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)
organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)
5 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: 52.9 ppb in urine (vs. 22.6 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Monique Harden
| 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: 1.6 ug/L in urine (vs. 3.77 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 5 of 5 people in the group (vs. 2,818 of 2,818 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Anonymous Adult 10, Vivian Chang, Anonymous Adult 9, Anonymous Adult 13
| 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 2 of the 2 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 10.6 ng/g in whole blood (vs. 4.46 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 23 of 23 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 1, Kathy Fowler
| 0.736 | ng/g in whole blood | 27.8 |
|
| ||
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
phthalates
10 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 6 of the 6 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. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Monique Harden
Total Phthalates
- geometric mean: 593 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 5 of 5 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Jessica Welborn, Anonymous Adult 10, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 9, Alicia Wittink
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
|
| ||
Total Phthalates
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (pahs)
8 of 18 found — see each chemical
Pollutants from burning gasoline and garbage. Linked to cancer. Accumulate in food chain.
- geometric mean: 189 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 230 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 8 of 8 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1
| 130 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 384 |
|
| ||
Total Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
37-43 of 49 found — see each chemical
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 9 of the 9 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 46.7 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
[excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153] - found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 9, Kathy Fowler, Alicia Wittink, Jessica Welborn, Anonymous Adult 1, Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Anonymous Adult 10, Vivian Chang, Anonymous Adult 13
| 1.11 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 314 |
|
| ||
Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
116-166 of 209 found — see each chemical
Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.
- geometric mean: 84.7 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: Monique Harden, Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1
| 2.95 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 600 |
|
| ||
Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
polychlorinated naphthalenes (pcns)
38-58 of 70 found — see each chemical
Wood preservatives, varnishes, machine lubricating oils, waste incineration. Cause liver and kidney damage.
- geometric mean: 1.26 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 0.693 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 23 of 23 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1
| 0.0743 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 3.43 |
|
| ||
Total Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs)
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 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 17 of 21 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Anonymous Adult 9, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 10
volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)
33 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 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Monique Harden
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.)
