about this participant:
Adelaide Gomer, an executive from Ithaca, NY, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters." She gave blood and urine for the study on December 8, 2005 at age 62.
Related links:
Location:
Ithaca, NY
Participant's groups:
Gomer Wittink Family, Female, Adult
Study:
EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters
Sample Date:
December 8, 2005
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Reproduction and fertility | 26 |
| Brain and nervous system | 26 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
| Respiratory system | 4 |
| Cancer | 2 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
| Endocrine system | 2 |
| Chronic effects, general | 2 |
Participant: Adelaide Gomer
Found 34-38 of 70 tested chemicals
Adelaide Gomer's blood and urine contained 34-38 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 Methylmercury, Phthalates, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Lead compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Adelaide Gomer
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | moderate | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Phthalates | high | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products | |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | moderate | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| BADGE-4OH | moderate | Endocrine system | Food can linings, dental sealants |
| Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
21-25 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: 31.6 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (65th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (45th %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)
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: 9.6 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (49th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 174 | |
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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: 1230 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
- High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (90th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
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Total Phthalates
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
4 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 19.7 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (35th %ile)
- Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (28th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 2.63 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 77.7 |
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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: 2.1 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (64th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (72nd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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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: 10.3 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %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 blood | 25.9 | |
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Chemicals not found in Adelaide Gomer
32 chemicals
Bisphenol A, PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic 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-203, PBDE-190, PBDE-181, PBDE-128, PBDE-126, PBDE-116, PBDE-105, 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
