about this participant:
Ruby Alcorn, from Oakland, CA, participated in the 2008 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #9, flame retardants in mothers and children." She gave blood for the study on November 10, 2006 at age 4.
Related links:
Location:
Oakland, CA
Participant's groups:
Toddler, PBDE Family 2, Female, Child
Study:
EWG Study #9, flame retardants in mothers and children
Sample Date:
November 10, 2006
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Reproduction and fertility | 9 |
| Brain and nervous system | 9 |
Participant: Ruby Alcorn
Found 9 of 20 tested chemicals
Ruby Alcorn's blood contained 9 of 20 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, brain and nervous system toxicity,
- This participant's samples show above average levels of PBDE-47, PBDE-99, PBDE-85 and PBDE-138 compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Ruby Alcorn
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | high | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
9 of 20 found
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- cumulative level found: 113 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
[excludes PBDE-154/PBB-153] - High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (86th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 1.11 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 314 |
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Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
- level found: 0.47 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [s]
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (68th %ile)
| 0.11 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1.95 |
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Hexabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in foam and plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.15 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (87th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.59 | |
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- level found: 31.1 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
| 0.238 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 76.9 |
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- level found: 3.27 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [s]
- Moderate vs 38 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (72nd %ile)
| 0.45 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 15.4 |
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Pentabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 12.5 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [s]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (86th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 32.6 | |
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- level found: 1.08 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (74th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 2.27 | |
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In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 14.4 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [s]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (86th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 31.2 | |
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Tetrabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 51.8 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [s]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (82nd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 143 | |
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Tribrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 1.25 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (80th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile)
| 0.0385 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 6.17 |
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Chemicals not found in Ruby Alcorn
11 chemicals
PBDE-183, PBDE-209, PBDE-17, PBDE-66, PBDE-71, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-208, PBDE-196, PBDE-201, PBDE-203
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.)
[s] Chemical found in solvent blank
See results for this participant's group
