about this participant:

Lexi Rome, a volunteer from Mill Valley, 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 55.

As co-director of the Commonweal Sustainable Futures Project, Rome led a collaborative learning program for leaders in the environmental, philanthropic, and policy-making communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, tackling such diverse problems as population, consumption, and a sustainable future. Now retired, she is pursuing volunteer opportunities, working on local environmental issues, and developing sustainable, organic ranching methods in Montana.

Related links:
Location:

Mill Valley, CA

Participant's groups:

Female, 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)46
Brain and nervous system30
Birth defects and developmental delays15
Reproduction and fertility5
Respiratory system1



picture of Lexi Rome

Participant: Lexi Rome
Found 79.333333333333-88 of 214 tested chemicals

Lexi Rome's blood and urine contained 79.333333333333-88 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 Lexi Rome

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 & furansmoderateImmune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)low Contaminated food and drinking water
Cadmiumhigh Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air
Leadmoderate 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)

32 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

2 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)

21.333333333333-30 of 77 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 124 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (72nd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (65th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.95ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum600


Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

organochlorine pesticides (ocs)

5 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: 1.72 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Low vs 27 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %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: 557 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (77th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (74th %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: 0.5 ppb in urine
  • High vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (78th %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: 1.41 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (39th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (51st %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: 2.79 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (56th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (91st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)

1 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: 6.1 ppb in urine
  • Low vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %ile)
4ppb in urine70.4


Total Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)

Chemicals not found in Lexi Rome

126 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, Pentachlorophenol, Diethylphosphorodithidate (DEDTP), Dimethylphosphorodithidate (DMDTP), Dimethylphosphate (DMP), Dimethylphosphorothidate (DMPT), Diethylphosphate (DEP), Diethylphosphorothidate (DEPT), Malathion Dicarboxylic Acid, Malathion Mono-Carboxylic Acid, Dimethyl phthalate, Diethyl phthalate, Butyl benzyl phthalate, Di-n-octyl phthalate, PCB-101, PCB-84, 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-110, PCB-151, PCB-149, PCB-168, PCB-18, PCB-44, PCB-49, PCB-70, PCB-87, PCB-95, PCB-52, PCB-64, PCB-60, PCB-141, PCB-179, PCB-174, PCB-191, PCB-201, PCB-92, 11,14-Methyl Ester Eicosadienoic acid, bis(1-methylpropyl) ester Hexanedioic acid, Diisooctyl ester Diphosphoric acid, 1-Tetradecanol, 2-Decanol, 3-Methylcyclopentanol, 7-methyl-7-Heptadecanol, Methyl isobutyl carbinol, (Z)-9,17-Octadecadienal, tetradecanal, 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylhexane, 2,4,4-Trimethylhexane, 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, 2,4,6-trimethyl-Decane, 3-bromo-Decane, 2,6-dimethyl Heptadecane, Hexacosane, n-Docosane, 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, o-(phenylmethyl)-Hydroxylamine, (3-octylundecyl)-Benzene, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl-Phenol, 2-propenylidene-Cyclobutene, (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, 2,4-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, 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