GROUP:
EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 50 | 29-64 | 69 |
| Brain and nervous system | 38 | 19-52 | 58 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 14 | 13-16 | 16 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 4 | 2-5 | 10 |
| Chronic effects, general | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Endocrine system | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Respiratory system | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
Group members:
(9 People)
Andrea Martin
Bill Moyers
Davis Baltz
Lucy Waletsky
Michael Lerner
Sharyle Patton
Lexi Rome
Monique Harden
Charlotte Brody
Locations:
Sausalito, CA
NJ, USA
Berkeley, CA
Pleasantville, NY
Bolinas, CA
Mill Valley, CA
New Orleans, LA
Round Hill, VA
about this group:
Laboratory tests uncovered 171 pollutants in blood and urine from nine volunteers, including an average of 56 carcinogens in each person. A benchmark for the exploding science on the human "body burden," the pollution in people, this study raises deep concerns about a system of public health protections that doesn't ask chemical companies to safety test their products before they are sold.
Group: EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
Found 155-171 of 214 tested chemicals (9 participants)
The blood and urine of the "EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults" group contained 155-171 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 EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) | 100% found, not quantified | Contaminated indoor and outdoor air | |
| Phthalates | 100% found, not quantified | Endocrine system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | 22% high 78% moderate | Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) | 11% high 44% low | Reproduction and fertility | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Chlorinated dioxins & furans | 44% high 56% moderate | Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
| Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs) | 33% high 44% moderate 22% low | Brain and nervous system | Contaminated food and drinking water |
| Alkylphenols | 33% found, not quantified | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, detergents, pesticides, paints, carpet and dry cleaning |
| Arsenic (inorganic only) | 11% high | Pressure-treated (outdoor) wood, contaminated drinking water | |
| Cadmium | 33% high | Contaminated food and drinking water, cigarette smoke, contaminated factory air | |
| Lead | 56% high 44% moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| Methylmercury | 67% high 22% moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)
76 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.
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Andrea Martin, Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Charlotte Brody
Total Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs)
phthalates
6 of 6 found — see each chemical
In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 9 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Andrea Martin, Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Charlotte Brody
Total Phthalates
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
36-52 of 77 found — see each chemical
Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.
- geometric mean: 146 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 9.81 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 2,900 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Monique Harden, Lucy Waletsky, Lexi Rome, Charlotte Brody, Davis Baltz, Andrea Martin, Michael Lerner, Bill Moyers, Sharyle Patton
| 2.95 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 600 |
    | ||
Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
organochlorine pesticides (ocs)
10 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.
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) were measured in different units for some of the members of this group. Overall it was found in 9 of the 9 members tested in the group. The bars below are grouped by units:
- geometric mean: 1.37 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 186 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 4,276 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Andrea Martin, Charlotte Brody, Davis Baltz, Monique Harden, Lexi Rome, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Bill Moyers
| 0.615 | ng/g lipids 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.
- geometric mean: 738 pg/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 14 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 2,725 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Davis Baltz, Charlotte Brody, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Bill Moyers, Andrea Martin
| 5 | pg/g lipids in blood serum | 1860 |
| | ||
Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans
metals
4 of 5 found
Known human carcinogen in pressure-treated wood and food. Common tap water pollutant.
- geometric mean: 1.4 ppb in urine
- found in 1 of 9 people in the group
- found in: Michael Lerner
| 21 | ppb in urine | 21 |
| | ||
In batteries, pigments, coatings, plastic and cigarette smoke. Cadmium causes cancer and is linked to birth defects and kidney damage.
- geometric mean: 0.339 ppb in urine
- found in 3 of 9 people in the group
- found in: Lexi Rome, Andrea Martin, Monique Harden
| 0.5 | 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.
- geometric mean: 2.45 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Lexi Rome, Sharyle Patton, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Charlotte Brody, Monique Harden, Bill Moyers, Michael Lerner, Andrea Martin
| 0.222 | ug/dL 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.
- geometric mean: 3.36 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 8 of 9 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Charlotte Brody, Davis Baltz, Lexi Rome, Bill Moyers, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Andrea Martin
| 0.0735 | ug/L in whole blood | 25.9 |
| | ||
organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)
7 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.
- geometric mean: 22.6 ppb in urine
- found in 9 of 9 people in the group
- found in: Michael Lerner, Lexi Rome, Sharyle Patton, Lucy Waletsky, Charlotte Brody, Bill Moyers, Monique Harden, Davis Baltz, Andrea Martin
| 4 | ppb in urine | 70.4 |
| | ||
Total Organophosphate Pesticide metabolites (OPs)
alkylphenols
1 of 1 found — see each chemical
Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: results not quantified
- found in 3 of 9 people in the group (vs. 3 of 9 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Charlotte Brody
Total Alkylphenols
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.)
