about this participant:

Participant #18, from Virginia, 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 November 10, 2005 at age 60.

Related links:
Location:

Virginia

Participant's groups:

Female, Adult

Study:

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

Sample Date:

November 10, 2005



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Reproduction and fertility32
Brain and nervous system32
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)6
Respiratory system4
Endocrine system3
Cancer2
Birth defects and developmental delays2
Chronic effects, general2



picture of Participant #18

Participant: Participant #18
Found 44-48 of 70 tested chemicals

Participant #18's blood and urine contained 44-48 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.

Summary of chemicals found in Participant #18

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

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

27-31 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: 148 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %ile)
  • High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (83rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

6 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 57.5 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %ile)
  • High vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (89th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

bisphenol a & badge

2 of 2 found

Detected in polycarbonate plastic, dental sealants, and resins that line metal cans. Linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, cancer with effects at very low doses.

  • level found: 1.14 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 51 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (77th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum8.61


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

  • level found: 48.8 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum174


phthalates

7 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: 380 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (62nd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (60th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

metals

2 of 2 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: 3.78 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (64th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (95th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


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: 4 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (93rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


Chemicals not found in Participant #18

22 chemicals

PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-7, PBDE-37, PBDE-12, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-209, 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