about this participant:

Alicia Wittink, a consultant from Washington, DC, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters." She gave blood and urine for the study on November 30, 2005 at age 29.

Related links:
Location:

Washington, DC

Participant's groups:

Women of Childbearing Age, Gomer Wittink Family, Female, Adult

Study:

EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters

Sample Date:

November 30, 2005



health & safety concerns:
 chemicals found in this person
Birth defects and developmental delays23
Reproduction and fertility22
Brain and nervous system17
Endocrine system10
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)9
Cancer8
Gastrointestinal (including liver)7


bioaccumulative pollutants:
 chemicals found in this person
Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people14



picture of Alicia Wittink

Participant: Alicia Wittink
Found 23-26 of 70 tested chemicals

Alicia Wittink's blood and urine contained 23-26 of 70 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to birth defects and developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and brain and nervous system toxicity.

Summary of chemicals found in Alicia Wittink

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
LeadhighBrain and nervous system, Birth defects and developmental delays Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
MethylmercurymoderateBirth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)moderateCancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
PhthalateshighBirth defects and developmental delays, Reproduction and fertility, Endocrine system Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)moderateReproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

metals

2 of 2 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.

  • level found: 3.2 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (88th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


Methylmercury

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: 0.945 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (36th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (65th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

5 of 13 found — see each chemical

Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.

  • cumulative level found: 20.6 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (37th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (29th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

phthalates

6 of 7 found — see each chemical

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

  • cumulative level found: 1040 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (92nd %ile)
  • High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (88th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

10-13 of 46 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 19.9 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (46th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (31st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

Chemicals not found in Alicia Wittink

44 chemicals

BADGE-4OH, Bisphenol A, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-51, PBDE-49, PBDE-37, PBDE-35, PBDE-79, PBDE-66, PBDE-7, PBDE-75, PBDE-77, PBDE-85, PBDE-99, PBDE-11, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-116, PBDE-105, PBDE-100, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-166, PBDE-138, PBDE-13, PBDE-126, PBDE-128, PBDE-209, PBDE-208, PBDE-207, PBDE-206, PBDE-203, PBDE-181, PBDE-155, PBDE-154, PBDE-12

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.)

See results for this participant's group