about this participant:
Jennifer Hill-Kelley, an environmental quality director from Green Bay, WI, participated in the -0001 biomonitoring investigation entitled "Adult Minority Leader Report." She gave blood and urine for the study on August 5, 2008 at age 40.
Jennifer Hill-Kelley is an environmental quality director of the 100-square-mile Oneida Nation near Green Bay, Wisconsin, signs her emails wahnislateni ne yohantsya^teni -- every day is earth day.
She has spent 12 years overseeing cleanup of the reservation's fishing streams and ground waters and restoring the tribe's traditional fishery. That mission says Hill-Kelley, is "near to my heart" because it was sparkling Duck Creek that in 1822 enticed the Oneida people, fleeing white settlers in upstate New York, to settle this 100-square-mile reservation near Lake Michigan's Green Bay.
Today, Duck Creek is polluted with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), industrial chemicals that local paper mills dumped by the ton into nearby Fox River and the bay itself. In 1977, the U.S. government banned the manufacture of PCBs, by that time classified as known human carcinogens, but the waters in and around Green Bay remain contaminated by PCBs and other toxins such as mercury, dioxins and the pesticide DDT.
The Oneida reservation's waters have also been fouled by sediment from urbanization and agricultural chemicals and manure from surrounding farms.
"The fishing tradition is integral to our culture," says Hill-Kelley, "We want to be able to fish again on the reservation." Today, thanks in part to her work, streams are clearer, wetlands have been restored, and birds, trout and other wildlife are returning to a greener landscape.
Location:
Green Bay, WI
Participant's groups:
Women of Childbearing Age, Female
Study:
Sample Date:
August 5, 2008
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Brain and nervous system | 29 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 28 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 3 |
| Endocrine system | 3 |
| Hematologic (blood) system | 2 |
| Cancer | 2 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 2 |
| Chronic effects, general | 2 |
Participant: Jennifer Hill-Kelley
Found 37-40 of 75 tested chemicals
Jennifer Hill-Kelley's blood and urine contained 37-40 of 75 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and birth defects and developmental delays.
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of PBDE-203, PBDE-28 compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of PBDE-17, PBDE-206, PBDE-66 and Bisphenol A compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Jennifer Hill-Kelley
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | moderate | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | low | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Perchlorate | low | Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | high | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
| Bisphenol A | high | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants | |
| Mercury | moderate | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
| Lead | low | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
24-27 of 46 found
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- cumulative level found: 86.2 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (72nd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 1.11 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 314 |
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Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Dibrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.337 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (87th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 3.23 | |
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Heptabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated flame retardants used in plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 1.39 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 4.31 | |
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Hexabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in foam and plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.211 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (92nd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.59 | |
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- level found: 0.0657 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (81st %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.54 | |
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- level found: 3.78 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)
| 0.238 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 76.9 |
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- level found: 0.478 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (87th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (54th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 2.73 | |
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Nonabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants currently used in plastics and fabric. The major use is in electronic devices; the minor use is as a backcoating on industrial fabrics. Are directly toxic to mammals and breakdown to more dangerous forms in the environment.
- level found: 5.17 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 19.9 | |
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- level found: 2.33 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 19 | |
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- level found: 1.78 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 14.7 | |
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Octabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated flame retardants used in plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 5.41 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 16.5 | |
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Pentabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 5.93 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (68th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 32.6 | |
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- level found: 0.032 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.251 | |
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- level found: 0.569 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (30th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 2.27 | |
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In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 6 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (65th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 31.2 | |
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Tetrabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 48.4 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (80th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 143 | |
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- level found: 0.225 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (90th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1.26 | |
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- level found: 0.0327 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.191 | |
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- level found: 0.413 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (81st %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1.33 | |
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- level found: 0.0413 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.273 | |
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- level found: 0.0487 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.128 | |
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- level found: 0.125 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.823 | |
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Tribrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.189 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.673 | |
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- level found: 3.22 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile)
| 0.0385 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 6.17 |
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- level found: 0.0187 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.386 | |
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perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
6 of 13 found
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 15.1 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (20th %ile)
- Low vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (18th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 2.63 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 77.7 |
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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: 0.23 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (66th %ile)
- High vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (76th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.47 | |
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Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 9-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.928 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (30th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (61st %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 5.85 | |
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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: 1.72 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
- Low vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (21st %ile)
| 0.366 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 10.1 |
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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: 0.138 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (66th %ile)
- High vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (93rd %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.76 | |
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PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate)
In fire fighting foams and carpet treatments. Phased out of consumer products by 3M in 2000 over health concerns.
- level found: 0.661 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (26th %ile)
- Low vs 1,591 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (15th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 13.1 | |
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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: 11.4 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (28th %ile)
- Low vs 1,591 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (8th %ile)
| 1.07 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 64.1 |
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perchlorate
1 of 1 found
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.
- level found: 0.72 ug/L in urine
- Moderate vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (38th %ile)
- Low vs 2,818 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (4th %ile)
| ug/L in urine | 5.6 | |
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nitro- and polycylic- musks
2 of 10 found
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 1.96 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
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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: 1.1 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 3.6 | |
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Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, detergents, cigarettes. Suspected hormone disruptor. Prevents cells from blocking entry of toxins in animal study. Bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.86 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.6 | |
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bisphenol a & badge
1 of 1 found
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.
- level found: 5.03 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 17 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
- High vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (81st %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 6.06 | |
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metals
3 of 3 found
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: 0.556 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %ile)
- Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile)
| 0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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Mercury is used in dental fillings and to preserve vaccines; it is also a common pollutant in seafood. Mercury harms brain development and function.
- level found: 1.01 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (45th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (68th %ile)
| 7.0E-5 | ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 12 |
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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: 0.68 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (30th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (50th %ile)
| ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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Chemicals not found in Jennifer Hill-Kelley
35 chemicals
Tetrabromobisphenol A, Celestolide, Traseolide, Phantolide, Musk xylene, Musk tibetene, Musk moskene, Musk ketone, Cashmeran, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PBDE-13, PBDE-11, PBDE-32, PBDE-128, PBDE-155, PBDE-181, PBDE-190, PBDE-209, PBDE-105, PBDE-77, PBDE-35, PBDE-126, PBDE-30, PBDE-7, PBDE-10, PBDE-119, PBDE-8, PBDE-12, PBDE-120
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.)
[2] The chemicals co-eluted in the laboratory analysis.
[D] The concentration detected in the lab blank is 15% or greater of the detected value.
[K] Peak detected but did not meet quantification criteria; concentration is unconfirmed
See results for this participant's group
