GROUP:

Adult Minority Leader Report


health & safety concerns:
chemicals found
on average indivi-
dual range
entire group
Brain and nervous system 29 23-35 36
Reproduction and fertility 28 22-34 35
Birth defects and developmental delays 3 3-3 3
Endocrine system 3 2-3 3
Cancer 2 2-2 2
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) 2 2-2 2
Hematologic (blood) system 2 2-2 2
Chronic effects, general 2 1-2 2

Group members:

(5 People)

Dr. Beverly Wright
Vivian Chang
Jennifer Hill-Kelley
Suzie Canales
Jean Salone


Locations:

Corpus Christi, TX
Green Bay, WI
New Orleans, LA
Oakland, CA



picture of group

Group: Adult Minority Leader Report
Found 43-48 of 75 tested chemicals (5 participants)

The blood and urine of the "Adult Minority Leader Report" group contained 43-48 of 75 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and birth defects and developmental delays.

Summary of chemicals found in Adult Minority Leader Report

chemical family level found in group health effects exposure routes
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)40% high
40% moderate
20% low
Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)40% high
60% low
Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Nitro- and polycylic- musks80% high
20% moderate
Endocrine system Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
Perchlorate100% low
Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays Contaminated food and drinking water
Lead60% moderate
40% low
Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Mercury40% high
20% moderate
40% low
Brain and nervous system Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercury40% high
20% moderate
40% low
Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Bisphenol A60% high
20% moderate
20% low
Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

29-34 of 46 found — see each chemical

Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.

1.11ng/g lipids in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

7 of 13 found — see each chemical

Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.

2.63ng/mL in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

nitro- and polycylic- musks

2 of 10 found — see each chemical

Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.

0.0547ng/g in blood serum4.23


Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks

perchlorate

1 of 1 found

Explosive component of solid rocket and missile fuel. Widespread contaminant of food, drinking water, and people. Disrupts thyroid hormones, particularly in women with lower iodide intake; may harm brain development.

0.2ug/L in urine5.6


metals

3 of 3 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.

0.222ug/dL in whole blood4.7


Mercury is used in dental fillings and to preserve vaccines; it is also a common pollutant in seafood. Mercury harms brain development and function.

7.0E-5ug/L in whole blood12


Forms from mercury, a pollutant from coal-fired power plants and other sources. Methylmercury accumulates in seafood and harms brain development and function.

0.0735ug/L in whole blood25.9


bisphenol a & badge

1 of 1 found

Detected in polycarbonate plastic, dental sealants, and resins that line metal cans. Linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, cancer with effects at very low doses.

1.2ug/g creatinine in urine6.06


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.)