about this participant:

Andrea Martin, founder of The Breast Cancer Fund from Sausalito, CA, participated in the 2003 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults." She gave blood and urine for the study at age 56.

Andrea is a cancer survivor, and the founder and former Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Fund in San Francisco. Recognized as one of the nation's leading advocates for cancer survivors, Martin's group pushes for a national action agenda for environmental causes of breast cancer. Her ascent of Mount Fuji two years ago with nearly 500 breast cancer survivors and supporters epitomizes her group's commitment to celebrate the courage and faith of the 3 million women in the U.S. living with this devastating disease. She has recently undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor unrelated to breast cancer.

Related links:
Location:

Sausalito, CA

Participant's groups:

Female, Adult

Study:

EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)58
Brain and nervous system47
Birth defects and developmental delays15
Reproduction and fertility4
Chronic effects, general1
Respiratory system1



picture of Andrea Martin

Participant: Andrea Martin
Found 85.616666666667-101 of 214 tested chemicals

Andrea Martin's blood and urine contained 85.616666666667-101 of 214 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, brain and nervous system toxicity, and birth defects and developmental delays.

Summary of chemicals found in Andrea Martin

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)found, not quantified Contaminated indoor and outdoor air
Phthalatesfound, not quantified Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)moderateBrain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)lowReproduction and fertility Contaminated food and drinking water
Chlorinated dioxins & furanshighImmune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)highBrain and nervous system Contaminated food and drinking water
Cadmiumhigh Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air
Leadhigh Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)

28 of 76 found — see each chemical

Used in wide range of household, craft, and industrial products. Common tap water and air pollutants. Includes neurotoxins and carcinogens.

  • cumulative level found: found, but not quantified

found in 9 of 9 people, but not quantified

 


Total Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)

phthalates

3 of 6 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: found, but not quantified

found in 9 of 9 people, but not quantified

 


Total Phthalates

polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

26.616666666667-42 of 77 found — see each chemical

Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.

  • cumulative level found: 207 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (75th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.95ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum600


Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

organochlorine pesticides (ocs)

4 of 23 found — see each chemical

Includes DDT, chlordane, other pesticides. Largely banned in the U.S. Build up in the human body over time. Cause cancer and reproductive harm.

  • cumulative level found: 0.768 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Low vs 27 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (8th %ile)
  • Low vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.615ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum2830


Total Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)

chlorinated dioxins & furans

15 of 17 found — see each chemical

Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.

  • cumulative level found: 1860 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
  • High vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
5pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum1860


Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans

metals

3 of 5 found

In batteries, pigments, coatings, plastic and cigarette smoke. Cadmium causes cancer and is linked to birth defects and kidney damage.

  • level found: 0.7 ppb in urine
  • High vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
ppb in urine0.7


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: 3.23 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %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


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: 25.9 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)

6 of 9 found — see each chemical

Breakdown products from pesticides, including Dursban, formerly used in homes and currently used on produce. Can damage brain development.

  • cumulative level found: 70.4 ppb in urine
  • High vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
4ppb in urine70.4


Total Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)

Chemicals not found in Andrea Martin

113 chemicals

4-tert-Octylphenol, 2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), Chromium, Arsenic (inorganic only), 4,4'-DDD, Aldrin, alpha-Endosulphan, beta-Endosulphan, alpha-Chlordane, Dieldrin, Endosulphan Sulphate, Endrin, Endrin Ketone, alpha-BHC, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Endrin aldehyde, Hexachlorobenzene, gamma-BHC (Lindane), delta-BHC, gamma-Chlordane, Mirex, Pentachlorophenol, Diethylphosphorodithidate (DEDTP), Dimethylphosphorodithidate (DMDTP), Diethylphosphorothidate (DEPT), Dimethyl phthalate, Butyl benzyl phthalate, Di-n-octyl phthalate, PCB-166, PCB-82, PCB-195, PCB-200, PCB-207, PCB-42, PCB-185, PCB-86, PCB-97, PCB-119, PCB-91, PCB-189, PCB-205, PCB-158, PCB-114, PCB-123, PCB-120, PCB-77, PCB-126, PCB-169, PCB-79, PCB-80, PCB-37, PCB-81, PCB-168, PCB-198, PCB-49, PCB-64, PCB-60, PCB-141, PCB-174, PCB-191, PCB-190, PCB-208, PCB-92, 11,14-Methyl Ester Eicosadienoic acid, Methyl ester 9,12-Hexadecadienoic acid, 9-Hexadecenoic acid, bis(1-methylpropyl) ester Hexanedioic acid, n-Tetradecanoic acid, Oleic acid, Diisooctyl ester Diphosphoric acid, 1-Tetradecanol, 2-Decanol, 3-Methylcyclopentanol, 5-Methyl-2-heptanol, 7-methyl-7-Heptadecanol, tetradecanal, 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylhexane, 2,4,4-Trimethylhexane, 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, 2,5,6-trimethyl-Decane, 3-bromo-Decane, 2,6-dimethyl Heptadecane, Hexacosane, n-Octacosane, 3-bromo-3-methyl Pentane, Tetratetracontane, 5-propyl-Tridecane, 1,E-11,Z-13-Hexadecatriene, 17-Pentatriacontene, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-Hexadecene, (E)-3-Octadecene, 1,5-Heptadien-3-yne, o-(phenylmethyl)-Hydroxylamine, (3-octylundecyl)-Benzene, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl-Phenol, 1,5,5-trimethyl-6-(2-propenylidene)-Cyclohexene, 2-hydroxy-Cyclopentadecanone, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-Cyclopentane, Ethylcyclohexane, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, 2,4-Octanedione, O-methyloxime 3,5-dimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 2-Nonanone, dihydro-5-(1-methylethyl)-3(2H)-Furanone, 4,6-dimethyl-5-Hepten-2-one, alpha-Toluenesulfonyl chloride, Cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate, Mono(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Ethyl Benzene, meta-Xylene, ortho-Xylene

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