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:
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 system | 30 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 15 |
Reproduction and fertility | 5 |
Respiratory system | 1 |
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.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Cadmium, Chlorinated dioxins & furans, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Methylmercury compared to all others in EWG studies
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 | |
Phthalates | found, not quantified | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products | |
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 | Contaminated food and drinking water | |
Cadmium | high | Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air | |
Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
Methylmercury | high | 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
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
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)
2.95 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 600 |
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)
0.615 | 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: 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)
5 | pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1860 |
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 urine | 0.7 | |
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)
0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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 blood | 25.9 | |
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)
4 | ppb in urine | 70.4 |
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.)