about this participant:
Alex Wells, a student from Washington, DC, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on June 4, 2007 at age 19.
Related links:
Location:
Washington, DC
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
Sample Date:
June 4, 2007
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
Respiratory system | 4 |
Endocrine system | 3 |
Chronic effects, general | 3 |
Skin | 1 |
Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 1 |
Participant: Alex Wells
Found 12 of 25 tested chemicals
Alex Wells's blood and urine contained 12 of 25 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, respiratory system toxicity, and endocrine system toxicity.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Butylparaben, Monomethyl phthalate, Triclosan and Monoethyl phthalate compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Alex Wells
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Parabens | moderate | Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications | |
Triclosan | moderate | Endocrine system, Skin | Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items |
Phthalates | low | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
Nitro- and polycylic- musks | moderate | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
parabens
3 of 6 found
Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- cumulative level found: 25 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (33rd %ile)
8.39 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 3820 |
Total Parabens
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 2.32 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 78.7 | |
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 16.2 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (33rd %ile)
6.47 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2920 |
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 6.44 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 898 | |
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.
- level found: 15.5 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (61st %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (64th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 350 | |
phthalates
7 of 7 found
In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.
- cumulative level found: 148 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
- Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (22nd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
Total Phthalates
Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- level found: 15.5 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (9th %ile)
- Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (44th %ile)
5.64 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 6960 |
Mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- level found: 15.5 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (17th %ile)
- Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (61st %ile)
5.98 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2850 |
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics. Linked to male reproductive issues in people and animals.
- level found: 2.25 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (20th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (42nd %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 829 | |
Formed from dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish, cosmetics, and other consumer products; linked to birth defects and male reproductive issues.
- level found: 45.2 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (35th %ile)
- High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (82nd %ile)
7.53 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 250 |
Breakdown product of benzylbutyl phthalate, used in vinyl flooring, car-care products, some cosmetics. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- level found: 7.06 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (12th %ile)
- Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (24th %ile)
2.73 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 436 |
Breakdown product of diethyl phthalate, used in consumer products, fragrances. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- level found: 55.3 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (56th %ile)
- Low vs 8,015 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (20th %ile)
9.38 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 849 |
Breakdown product of dimethyl phthalate, used in insect repellant, plastic, rocket propellant. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems in people.
- level found: 6.94 ug/g creatinine in urine [Y]
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (64th %ile)
- High vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (91st %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 323 | |
nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 of 11 found
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 0.125 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (34th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, cleaning agents, detergents, air fresheners, perfumes. Suspected hormone disruptor. Prevents cells from blocking entry of toxins in animal study. Bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.125 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (53rd %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 3.6 | |
Chemicals not found in Alex Wells
13 chemicals
Cashmeran, Celestolide, Phantolide, Tonalide, Traseolide, Musk ambrette, Musk moskene, Musk ketone, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, Ethylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Benzylparaben
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.)
[Y] The concentration detected in the unspiked matrix is 15% or greater of the detected value.