about this participant:

Christa Heffron, a student from Portland, OR, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on June 28, 2007 at age 18.

Related links:
Location:

Portland, OR

Participant's groups:

Teen, Female

Study:

EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens

Sample Date:

June 28, 2007



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)5
Respiratory system4
Endocrine system2
Chronic effects, general2
Skin1
Gastrointestinal (including liver)1



picture of Christa Heffron

Participant: Christa Heffron
Found 12 of 25 tested chemicals

Christa Heffron'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.

Summary of chemicals found in Christa Heffron

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Parabensmoderate Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications
TriclosanhighEndocrine system, Skin Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items
PhthalateslowEndocrine system Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products

Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)

parabens

4 of 6 found

Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • cumulative level found: 23.6 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (29th %ile)
8.39ug/g creatinine in urine3820


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: 2.05 ug/g creatinine in urine [A]
  • High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (79th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine78.7


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 4.06 ug/g creatinine in urine [A]
  • High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine138


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 15.3 ug/g creatinine in urine [A]
  • Low vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (25th %ile)
6.47ug/g creatinine in urine2920


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 2.17 ug/g creatinine in urine [A]
  • Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (29th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine898


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: 54.2 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
  • High vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (80th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine350


phthalates

7 of 7 found

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

  • cumulative level found: 121 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (9th %ile)
  • Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (16th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

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: 12.7 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (7th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (36th %ile)
5.64ug/g creatinine in urine6960


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: 8.92 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (5th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (36th %ile)
5.98ug/g creatinine in urine2850


Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics. Linked to male reproductive issues in people and animals.

  • level found: 1.45 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (16th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (28th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine829


Formed from dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish, cosmetics, and other consumer products; linked to birth defects and male reproductive issues.

  • level found: 18.3 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (6th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (44th %ile)
7.53ug/g creatinine in urine250


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: 5.54 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (5th %ile)
  • Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (17th %ile)
2.73ug/g creatinine in urine436


Breakdown product of diethyl phthalate, used in consumer products, fragrances. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.

  • level found: 31.7 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (31st %ile)
  • Low vs 8,015 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (9th %ile)
9.38ug/g creatinine in urine849


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: 42.1 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
  • High vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine323


Chemicals not found in Christa Heffron

13 chemicals

Cashmeran, Celestolide, Phantolide, Galaxolide, Tonalide, Traseolide, Musk ambrette, Musk moskene, Musk ketone, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, 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.)

[A] Represents an average of two or more test results

See results for this participant's group