
about this participant:
Participant #2, a journalist from Silver Spring, MD, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens." She gave blood for the study on November 17, 2004 at age 55.
Location:
Silver Spring, MD
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens
Sample Date:
November 17, 2004
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Cancer | 2 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
Endocrine system | 1 |
Kidney and renal system | 1 |
Reproduction and fertility | 1 |
Brain and nervous system | 1 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 1 |
Behavioral effects | 1 |

Participant: Participant #2
Found 8 of 14 tested chemicals
Participant #2's blood contained 8 of 14 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental delays, and endocrine system toxicity.
Summary of chemicals found in Participant #2
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | low | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Methylmercury | low | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
7 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 8.51 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
8.51 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 59.7 |
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Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
metals
1 of 1 found
Forms from mercury, a pollutant from coal-fired power plants and other sources. Methylmercury accumulates in seafood and harms brain development and function.
- level found: 0.106 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (7th %ile)
- Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (14th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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Chemicals not found in Participant #2
6 chemicals
PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFTA (Perfluorotetradecanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid)
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.)
See results for this participant's group
