about this participant:

Nina Damato, a student from Washington, DC, 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 17.

Location:

Washington, DC

Participant's groups:

Teen, Female

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
Cancer2
Birth defects and developmental delays2
Endocrine system1
Kidney and renal system1
Reproduction and fertility1
Brain and nervous system1
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)1
Behavioral effects1



picture of Nina Damato

Participant: Nina Damato
Found 9 of 14 tested chemicals

Nina Damato's blood contained 9 of 14 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental delays, and endocrine system toxicity.

  • This participant's samples show above average levels of Methylmercury, compared to all others in EWG studies

Summary of chemicals found in Nina Damato

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)moderateCancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

8 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 22.7 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (38th %ile)
8.51ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum59.7


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: 2.01 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (47th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (86th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


Chemicals not found in Nina Damato

5 chemicals

PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), 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