about this participant:

Fred Gellert, from Belvedere, CA, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters." He gave blood and urine for the study on November 29, 2005 at age 69.

Related links:
Location:

Belvedere, CA

Participant's groups:

Senior, Male

Study:

EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters

Sample Date:

November 29, 2005



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Reproduction and fertility28
Brain and nervous system28
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)5
Respiratory system4
Cancer2
Birth defects and developmental delays2
Endocrine system2
Chronic effects, general2



picture of Fred Gellert

Participant: Fred Gellert
Found 37-41 of 70 tested chemicals

Fred Gellert's blood and urine contained 37-41 of 70 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, brain and nervous system toxicity, and immune system toxicity.

  • Mercury exposure above the federal government's safe level
  • This participant's samples show above average levels of BADGE-4OH, Methylmercury, Lead and compared to all others in EWG studies

Summary of chemicals found in Fred Gellert

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)moderateReproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Phthalatesmoderate Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)moderateCancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
Leadmoderate Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood
BADGE-4OHhighEndocrine system Food can linings, dental sealants

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

23-27 of 46 found — see each chemical

Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.

  • cumulative level found: 17.4 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (40th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (27th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

bisphenol a & badge

1 of 2 found

Metabolite of BADGE, used to make metal food can linings. Linked to hormone activity, skin and immune system toxicity and cancer.

  • level found: 147 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum174


phthalates

6 of 7 found — see each chemical

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

  • cumulative level found: 177 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (29th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

5 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 24.8 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (42nd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (41st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

metals

2 of 2 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.

  • level found: 2 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (57th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (70th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


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: 9.56 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


Chemicals not found in Fred Gellert

29 chemicals

Bisphenol A, PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-209, PBDE-77, PBDE-7, PBDE-37, PBDE-35, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-12, PBDE-208, PBDE-207, PBDE-206, PBDE-181, PBDE-128, PBDE-116, PBDE-105, PBDE-10, PBDE-11, PBDE-8, PBDE-13

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