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)

Adult #108
Adult B
Baby B


Locations:



picture of group

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
Lead50% high
50% moderate
Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Mercury50% high
50% moderate
Brain and nervous system Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercury50% high
50% moderate
Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Nitro- and polycylic- musks100% moderate
Endocrine system Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
Bisphenol A100% 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
1.11ng/g lipids in blood serum314


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
2.63ng/mL in blood serum77.7


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
0.222ug/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.

  • 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-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.

  • 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
0.0735ug/L in whole blood25.9


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
0.0547ng/g in blood serum4.23


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
1.2ug/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.)