GROUP:

Women of childbearing age (19-45)

health & safety concerns:	chemicals found
	on average	indivi- dual range	entire group
Birth defects and developmental delays	35	3-222	258
Brain and nervous system	33	2-204	230
Reproduction and fertility	27	3-95	126
Cancer	18	1-198	222
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	39	2-182	211
Gastrointestinal (including liver)	9	3-78	97
Endocrine system	7	1-32	58

bio- accumulative pollutants:	chemicals found
	on average	indivi- dual range	entire group
Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people	17	5-116	141

Group members:

(31 People)

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:

New Orleans, LA
Rockville, MD
San Francisco, CA
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 307-383 of 538 tested chemicals (31 participants)

The blood, urine, and breast milk of the "Women of childbearing age (19-45)" group contained 307-383 of 538 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to birth defects and developmental delays, brain and nervous system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity and fertility problems.

Summary of chemicals found in Women of childbearing age (19-45)

chemical family	level found in group	health effects	exposure routes
BADGE-4OH	50% high	Endocrine system, Skin	Food can linings, dental sealants
Bisphenol A	50% high 25% low	Reproduction and fertility, Endocrine system, Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer	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	Cancer, Kidney and renal system	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, Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Lead	40% high 40% moderate 20% low	Brain and nervous system, Birth defects and developmental delays	Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Mercury	50% high 50% moderate	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system	Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercury	36% high 55% moderate	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system	Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Nitro- and polycylic- musks	100% high	Endocrine system	Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)	50% high 50% moderate	Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Reproduction and fertility	Contaminated food and drinking water
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)	100% high	Brain and nervous system	Contaminated food and drinking water
Perchlorate	100% low	Hematologic (blood) system, Endocrine system, Birth defects and developmental delays	Contaminated food and drinking water
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)	20% high 40% moderate 40% low	Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system	Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Phthalates	33% high 33% low	Reproduction and fertility, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system	Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)	50% moderate 50% low	Cancer, Reproduction and fertility	Air polluted by vehicles or factories, burned and fatty food
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)	23% high 54% moderate 23% low	Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system	Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)	100% moderate	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs)	50% high 50% moderate	Skin, Gastrointestinal (including liver)	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)	100% found, not quantified	Birth defects and developmental delays	Contaminated indoor and outdoor air

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

bisphenol a & badge

2 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: 5.29 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 9.33 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 1 of 2 people in the group (vs. 30 of 41 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Jessica Welborn

3.02	ng/mL in blood serum	174

Bisphenol A

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 2 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 1.62 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 0.456 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 1 of 2 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

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

metals

4 of 6 found

Cadmium

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

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: 1.68 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 5 of 5 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Jessica Welborn, Vivian Chang, Monique Harden, Alicia Wittink

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: 1.66 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Vivian Chang

7.0E-5	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: 1.13 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 10 of 11 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, Stephanie Berger

0.0735	ug/L in whole blood	25.9

nitro- and polycylic- musks

2 of 10 found — see each chemical

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

• geometric mean: 1.67 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 35 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
• found in: Vivian Chang, Jennifer Hill-Kelley

0.0547	ng/g in blood serum	4.23

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

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

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: 1.07 ug/L in urine (vs. 3.77 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 2,818 of 2,818 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Vivian Chang

0.2	ug/L in urine	5.6

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

9 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

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 3 of the 3 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

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

• geometric mean: 395 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
• found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Jessica Welborn, Alicia Wittink

102	ug/g creatinine in urine	10800

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

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 6 of the 6 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:

• geometric mean: 37.7 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
    [excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153]
• found in 6 of 6 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
• found in: Kathy Fowler, Alicia Wittink, Jessica Welborn, Anonymous Adult 1, Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Vivian Chang

1.11	ng/g lipids in blood serum	314

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

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

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

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

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.)