about this participant:

Jessica Welborn, a PhD student from San Francisco, CA, 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 27.

Related links:
Location:

San Francisco, CA

Participant's groups:

Women of Childbearing Age, Welborn Family, 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 fertility16
Brain and nervous system16
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)6
Respiratory system4
Endocrine system3
Cancer2
Birth defects and developmental delays2
Chronic effects, general2



picture of Jessica Welborn

Participant: Jessica Welborn
Found 27-29 of 70 tested chemicals

Jessica Welborn's blood and urine contained 27-29 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 Jessica Welborn

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
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)lowCancer, 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
Bisphenol Ahigh Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants
PhthalateslowEndocrine system Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
BADGE-4OHhighEndocrine system Food can linings, dental sealants

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

13-15 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: 26.3 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (58th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (39th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

3 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 6.69 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (11th %ile)
  • Low vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (9th %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

Lead

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: 1.6 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (44th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (58th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


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: 2.31 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (52nd %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (89th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


bisphenol a & badge

2 of 2 found

Bisphenol A

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: 2.61 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 51 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum8.61


BADGE-4OH

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

  • level found: 28 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (76th %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: 150 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (14th %ile)
  • Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (23rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

Chemicals not found in Jessica Welborn

41 chemicals

PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PBDE-30, PBDE-99, PBDE-85, PBDE-77, PBDE-71, PBDE-7, PBDE-51, PBDE-49, PBDE-37, PBDE-35, PBDE-32, PBDE-116, PBDE-120, PBDE-12, PBDE-13, PBDE-138, PBDE-166, PBDE-8, PBDE-11, PBDE-10, PBDE-105, PBDE-119, PBDE-126, PBDE-128, PBDE-154, PBDE-181, PBDE-203, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-208, PBDE-209

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