about this participant:

Stephanie Berger, a consultant from Bethesda, 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 36.

Location:

Bethesda, MD

Participant's groups:

Women of Childbearing Age, Female, Adult

Study:

EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens

Sample Date:

November 17, 2004

Participant: Stephanie Berger
Found 8 of 14 tested chemicals

Stephanie Berger'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.

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

Summary of chemicals found in Stephanie Berger

Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

7 of 13 found

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

• cumulative level found: 26.7 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)

8.51	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	59.7

PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid)

Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 10-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.

• level found: 0.416 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)

0.2	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	2.03

PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid)

Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 7-carbon version of PFOA; persistent.

• level found: 0.092 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)

0.044	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	0.127

PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)

Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 9-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.

• level found: 1.51 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)

0.591	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	5.24

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)

Used to make Teflon pan coatings; breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings. Likely human carcinogen. Found in most people. Being phased out of some products.

• level found: 3.95 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)

2.92	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	7.83

PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid)

Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. An 11-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.

• level found: 0.441 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (38th %ile)

0.115	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	1.49

PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate)

In fire fighting foams and carpet treatments. Phased out of consumer products by 3M in 2000 over health concerns.

• level found: 1.79 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)

0.633	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	3.5

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonate)

Active ingredient in Scotchgard prior to 2000. Phase out forced by EPA because concentrations in human blood close to levels that harm lab animals.

• level found: 18.5 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)

3.96	ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum	47

metals

1 of 1 found

Methylmercury

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: 4.88 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
• Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (70th %ile)
• High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (97th %ile)

	ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood	25.9

Chemicals not found in Stephanie Berger

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

• EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens
• Women of Childbearing Age
• Female
• Adult