about this participant:
Participant #8, an attorney from Washington, DC, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens." She gave blood for the study on November 17, 2004 at age 35.
Location:
Washington, DC
Participant's groups:
Women of Childbearing Age, Female, Adult
Study:
EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens
Sample Date:
November 17, 2004
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Cancer | 2 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
Endocrine system | 1 |
Kidney and renal system | 1 |
Reproduction and fertility | 1 |
Brain and nervous system | 1 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 1 |
Behavioral effects | 1 |
Participant: Participant #8
Found 9 of 14 tested chemicals
Participant #8's blood contained 9 of 14 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental delays, and endocrine system toxicity.
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonate) compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), Methylmercury and compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Participant #8
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | high | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
8 of 13 found
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 59.4 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
8.51 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 59.7 |
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 10-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 1.05 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
0.2 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 2.03 |
PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, including Stainmaster. Highly persistent and bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.11 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (75th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 0.168 | |
PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 7-carbon version of PFOA; persistent.
- level found: 0.127 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
0.044 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 0.127 |
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 9-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 3.24 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
0.591 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 5.24 |
Used to make Teflon pan coatings; breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings. Likely human carcinogen. Found in most people. Being phased out of some products.
- level found: 5.1 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
2.92 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 7.83 |
PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. An 11-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 1.03 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
0.115 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.49 |
PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate)
In fire fighting foams and carpet treatments. Phased out of consumer products by 3M in 2000 over health concerns.
- level found: 1.7 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)
0.633 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 3.5 |
PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonate)
Active ingredient in Scotchgard prior to 2000. Phase out forced by EPA because concentrations in human blood close to levels that harm lab animals.
- level found: 47 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
3.96 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 47 |
metals
1 of 1 found
Forms from mercury, a pollutant from coal-fired power plants and other sources. Methylmercury accumulates in seafood and harms brain development and function.
- level found: 3.07 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (60th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (92nd %ile)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
Chemicals not found in Participant #8
5 chemicals
PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFTA (Perfluorotetradecanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid)
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.)