about this participant:

Lucy Waletsky, a psychiatrist from Pleasantville, NY, 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 61.

In addition to her work as a physician and practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Waletzky is board member of the National Audubon Society, and one of the group's prominent experts on the effects of pesticides and toxic chemicals on the environment. She also serves on the Board of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Society and is a member of the Westchester County Pest Management Committee.

Related links:

• Report executive summary

Location:

Pleasantville, NY

Participant's groups:

Female, Adult

Study:

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

health & safety concerns:	chemicals found in this person
Birth defects and developmental delays	51
Cancer	49
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	48
Brain and nervous system	31
Reproduction and fertility	27
Endocrine system	18
Gastrointestinal (including liver)	12

bioaccumulative pollutants:	chemicals found in this person
Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people	24

Participant: Lucy Waletsky
Found 73-79 of 214 tested chemicals

Lucy Waletsky's blood and urine contained 73-79 of 214 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to birth defects and developmental delays, cancer, and immune system toxicity.

• Mercury exposure above the federal government's safe level
• This participant's samples show above average levels of Chlorinated dioxins & furans, Methylmercury, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Lead compared to all others in EWG studies

Summary of chemicals found in Lucy Waletsky

chemical family	level found	health effects	exposure routes
Chlorinated dioxins & furans	high	Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Lead	moderate	Brain and nervous system, Birth defects and developmental delays	Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Methylmercury	high	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system	Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)	low	Reproduction and fertility, Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays	Contaminated food and drinking water
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)	moderate	Brain and nervous system	Contaminated food and drinking water
Phthalates	found, not quantified	Reproduction and fertility, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system	Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)	moderate	Birth defects and developmental delays, Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Cancer	Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)	found, not quantified	Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Kidney and renal system	Contaminated indoor and outdoor air

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

chlorinated dioxins & furans

13 of 17 found — see each chemical

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

• cumulative level found: 1130 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• High vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
• High vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

5	pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	1860

metals

2 of 5 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: 2.28 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
• Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (68th %ile)
• Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (74th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

0.222	ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood	4.7

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: 7.94 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
• High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
• High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

0	ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood	25.9

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: 2.8 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 27 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (30th %ile)
• Low vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

0.615	ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	2830

organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)

3 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: 19.4 ppb in urine
• Moderate vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (45th %ile)

4	ppb in urine	70.4

phthalates

6 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

polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

18-24 of 77 found — see each chemical

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

• cumulative level found: 106 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (69th %ile)
• Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (62nd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

2.95	ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	600

volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)

27 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

Chemicals not found in Lucy Waletsky

135 chemicals

4-tert-Octylphenol, 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran), 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetradioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), 2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran), Cadmium, Chromium, Arsenic (inorganic only), Hexachlorobenzene, Dieldrin, 4,4'-DDD, Aldrin, beta-Endosulphan, alpha-Chlordane, Endosulphan Sulphate, Endrin, Endrin Ketone, alpha-BHC, Heptachlor, Endrin aldehyde, gamma-BHC (Lindane), gamma-Chlordane, 4,4'-DDE, Pentachlorophenol, Heptachlor Epoxide, alpha-Endosulphan, Mirex, Dimethylphosphate (DMP), Diethylphosphate (DEP), Diethylphosphorothidate (DEPT), Malathion Mono-Carboxylic Acid, Diethylphosphorodithidate (DEDTP), Dimethylphosphorodithidate (DMDTP), PCB-157, PCB-52, PCB-110, PCB-168, PCB-149, PCB-151, PCB-92, PCB-191, PCB-95, PCB-87, PCB-70, PCB-49, PCB-64, PCB-47, PCB-66, PCB-60, PCB-198, PCB-141, PCB-137, PCB-44, PCB-179, PCB-174, PCB-171, PCB-84, 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-101, PCB-81, PCB-91, PCB-119, PCB-105, PCB-127, PCB-128, PCB-167, PCB-166, PCB-82, PCB-195, PCB-200, PCB-207, PCB-42, PCB-185, PCB-86, PCB-97, Oleic acid, n-Tetradecanoic acid, bis(1-methylpropyl) ester Hexanedioic acid, 9-Hexadecenoic acid, Methyl ester 9,12-Hexadecadienoic acid, 11,14-Methyl Ester Eicosadienoic acid, 2-hydroxy-Cyclopentadecanone, 2,6-dimethyl Heptadecane, 3-bromo-Decane, ortho-Xylene, Mono(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate, 17-Pentatriacontene, 5-propyl-Tridecane, Tetratetracontane, (1,1-dimethylbutyl) Oxirane, n-Octacosane, n-Docosane, Hexacosane, 1-Tetradecanol, 6-ethyl-2-methyl-Decane, 2,4,6-trimethyl-Decane, 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, 2,4-Dimethylheptane, 2,4,4-Trimethylhexane, tetradecanal, Octadecanal, (Z)-9,17-Octadecadienal, Methyl isobutyl carbinol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-Hexadecene, (E)-3-Octadecene, 4,6-dimethyl-5-Hepten-2-one, dihydro-5-(1-methylethyl)-3(2H)-Furanone, 2-Nonanone, O-methyloxime 3,5-dimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, Didodecyl 3,3-thiodipropionate, 1-methyl-2-propyl-Cyclopentane, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-Cyclopentane, 1,5,5-trimethyl-6-(2-propenylidene)-Cyclohexene, (1,2-dimethylbutyl)-Cyclohexane, 2-propenylidene-Cyclobutene, 3-isopentyl Sydnone, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl-Phenol, (3-octylundecyl)-Benzene, o-(phenylmethyl)-Hydroxylamine, 1,5-Heptadien-3-yne, cis-9-Tricosene, 5-Methyl-2-heptanol

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

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