GROUP:
Other Body Burden Studies
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found | ||
| on average | indivi- dual range |
entire group | |
| Brain and nervous system | 20 | 1-33 | 33 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 19 | 1-32 | 32 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 | 2-2 | 2 |
| Cancer | 2 | 2-2 | 2 |
| Endocrine system | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 1 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Hematologic (blood) system | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Biochemical effects | 1 | 1-1 | 1 |
Group members:
(3 People)
Locations:
Group: Other Body Burden Studies
Found 40-44 of 74 tested chemicals (3 participants)
The blood and urine of the "Other Body Burden Studies" group contained 40-44 of 74 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 Other Body Burden Studies
| chemical family | level found in group | health effects | exposure routes |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | 50% moderate 50% low | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | 33% moderate 67% low | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Lead | 50% high 50% moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| Mercury | 50% high 50% moderate | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | 50% high 50% moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | 100% moderate | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
| Bisphenol A | 100% moderate | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
27-31 of 46 found — see each chemical
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- geometric mean: 37.8 ng/g lipids in blood serum (vs. 26.3 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
[excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153] - found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 2,037 of 2,337 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adult #108, Adult B
| 1.11 | ng/g lipids in blood serum | 314 |
    | ||
Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
8 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- geometric mean: 8.21 ng/mL in blood serum (vs. 22.7 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 3 of 3 people in the group (vs. 3,684 of 3,959 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Baby B, Adult B, Adult #108
| 2.63 | ng/mL in blood serum | 77.7 |
| | ||
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
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.
- geometric mean: 1.84 ug/dL in whole blood (vs. 1.33 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,896 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adult B, Adult #108
| 0.222 | ug/dL in whole blood | 4.7 |
| | ||
Mercury is used in dental fillings and to preserve vaccines; it is also a common pollutant in seafood. Mercury harms brain development and function.
- geometric mean: 2.37 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adult B, Adult #108
| 7.0E-5 | ug/L in whole blood | 12 |
| | ||
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: 1.81 ug/L in whole blood (vs. 0.56 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 2 of 2 people in the group (vs. 7,584 of 8,373 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adult B, Adult #108
| 0.0735 | ug/L in whole blood | 25.9 |
| | ||
nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 of 10 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- geometric mean: 0.31 ng/g in blood serum (vs. 0.295 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 35 of 42 in all EWG/Commonweal studies)
- found in: Adult #108
| 0.0547 | ng/g in blood serum | 4.23 |
| | ||
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
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: 1.47 ug/g creatinine in urine (vs. 2.06 in CDC biomonitoring [1])
- found in 1 of 1 people in the group (vs. 2,350 of 2,612 in CDC biomonitoring)
- found in: Adult #108
| 1.2 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 6.06 |
| | ||
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.)
