GROUP:

EWG Study #8, chemicals in mother and 2 children


health & safety concerns:
chemicals found
on average indivi-
dual range
entire group
Brain and nervous system 78 1-155 155
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) 49 4-140 140
Reproduction and fertility 19 1-36 36
Respiratory system 4 3-4 4
Chronic effects, general 2 2-2 2
Endocrine system 2 1-2 2
Birth defects and developmental delays 2 2-2 2
Cancer 2 2-2 2

Group members:

(3 People)

Nicholas
Sara Corbett
May


Locations:

NY, USA



picture of group

Group: EWG Study #8, chemicals in mother and 2 children
Found 132-181 of 304 tested chemicals (3 participants)

The blood and urine of the "EWG Study #8, chemicals in mother and 2 children" group contained 132-181 of 304 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, immune system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity and fertility problems.

Summary of chemicals found in EWG Study #8, chemicals in mother and 2 children

chemical family level found in group health effects exposure routes
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)100% moderate
Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)100% low
Reproduction and fertility Contaminated food and drinking water
Phthalates67% moderate
33% low
Endocrine system Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)50% moderate
50% low
Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Bisphenol A33% low
Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)100% moderate
Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

88-134 of 208 found — see each chemical

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

  • geometric mean: 53 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 9.81 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
  • found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 2,900 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett
2.95ng/g lipids in blood serum600


Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

organochlorine pesticides (ocs)

15 of 28 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.

  • geometric mean: 50.7 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 186 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
  • found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 4,276 of 4,821 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett
0.615ng/g lipids in blood serum2830


Total Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs)

phthalates

7 of 7 found — see each chemical

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

  • geometric mean: 207 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 315 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
  • found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 7,928 of 8,020 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett, Nicholas, May
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

4 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • geometric mean: 13.4 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 22.7 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
  • found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 3,684 of 3,959 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett, Nicholas
2.63ng/mL in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

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.

  • geometric mean: 1.06 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 2.06 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
  • found in 1 of 3 people in the group (vs. 2,350 of 2,612 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett
1.2ug/g creatinine in urine6.06


polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

17-20 of 46 found — see each chemical

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

  • geometric mean: 16.6 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
      [excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153]
  • found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
  • found in: Sara Corbett
1.11ng/g lipids in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

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.)