about this participant:
Michael Lerner, an educator from Bolinas, CA, participated in the 2003 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults." He gave blood and urine for the study at age 59.
Michael Lerner is president and founder of Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in Marin County, California. He has worked for thirty years with at-risk children, people with cancer, and environmental health initiatives. He is married to Sharyle Patton, who was also a participant in the Body Burden Study.
Related links:
Location:
Bolinas, CA
Participant's groups:
Patton Lerner Family, Male, Commonweal, 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) | 61 |
Brain and nervous system | 48 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 15 |
Reproduction and fertility | 3 |
Endocrine system | 2 |
Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 1 |
Chronic effects, general | 1 |
Participant: Michael Lerner
Found 88.616666666667-103 of 214 tested chemicals
Michael Lerner's blood and urine contained 88.616666666667-103 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.
- Mercury exposure above the federal government's safe level
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of Arsenic (inorganic only), Methylmercury compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Lead, Chlorinated dioxins & furans and compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Michael Lerner
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) | found, not quantified | Contaminated indoor and outdoor air | |
Phthalates | found, not quantified | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
Alkylphenols | found, not quantified | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, detergents, pesticides, paints, carpet and dry cleaning |
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | moderate | Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) | low | Reproduction and fertility | Contaminated food and drinking water |
Chlorinated dioxins & furans | moderate | Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs) | low | Brain and nervous system | Contaminated food and drinking water |
Lead | high | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
Arsenic (inorganic only) | high | Pressure-treated (outdoor) wood, contaminated drinking water | |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)
30 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
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
Total Phthalates
alkylphenols
1 of 1 found — see each chemical
Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: found, but not quantified
Total Alkylphenols
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
31.616666666667-46 of 77 found — see each chemical
Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.
- cumulative level found: 229 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
- Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (74th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.95 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 600 |
Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
organochlorine pesticides (ocs)
3 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: 0.615 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 27 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (4th %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 |
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: 292 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (62nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (67th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
5 | pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1860 |
Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans
metals
3 of 5 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: 3.18 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (85th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
Known human carcinogen in pressure-treated wood and food. Common tap water pollutant.
- level found: 21 ppb in urine
- High vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
ppb in urine | 21 | |
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: 25.6 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 blood | 25.9 | |
organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)
2 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: 4 ppb in urine
- Low vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (12th %ile)
4 | ppb in urine | 70.4 |
Total Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)
Chemicals not found in Michael Lerner
111 chemicals
2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), Chromium, Cadmium, 4,4'-DDD, Aldrin, alpha-Endosulphan, beta-Endosulphan, alpha-Chlordane, Dieldrin, Endosulphan Sulphate, Endrin, Endrin Ketone, alpha-BHC, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Endrin aldehyde, gamma-BHC (Lindane), delta-BHC, gamma-Chlordane, 4,4'-DDT, Methoxychlor, Mirex, Pentachlorophenol, Diethylphosphorodithidate (DEDTP), Dimethylphosphorodithidate (DMDTP), Dimethylphosphate (DMP), Dimethylphosphorothidate (DMPT), Diethylphosphate (DEP), Diethylphosphorothidate (DEPT), Chlorpyrifos metabolite (3,5,6-TCP), Butyl benzyl phthalate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Di-n-octyl phthalate, 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, 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-49, PCB-60, 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, 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, 2,4,6-trimethyl-Decane, 2,5,6-trimethyl-Decane, 3-bromo-Decane, 2,6-dimethyl Heptadecane, n-Octacosane, 3-bromo-3-methyl Pentane, 5-propyl-Tridecane, 1,E-11,Z-13-Hexadecatriene, 17-Pentatriacontene, (E)-3-Octadecene, 1,5-Heptadien-3-yne, o-(phenylmethyl)-Hydroxylamine, (3-octylundecyl)-Benzene, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl-Phenol, 3-isopentyl Sydnone, (1,2-dimethylbutyl)-Cyclohexane, 1,5,5-trimethyl-6-(2-propenylidene)-Cyclohexene, 2-hydroxy-Cyclopentadecanone, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-Cyclopentane, Ethylcyclohexane, Didodecyl 3,3-thiodipropionate, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, O-methyloxime 3,5-dimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 2-Nonanone, 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
- EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
- Patton Lerner Family
- Male
- Commonweal
- Adult