about this participant:

Irene Crowe, president of a charitable foundation from Washington, DC, 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 63.

Related links:
Location:

Washington, DC

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 fertility11
Brain and nervous system11
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)5
Respiratory system4
Endocrine system3
Chronic effects, general2
Cancer2
Birth defects and developmental delays2



picture of Irene Crowe

Participant: Irene Crowe
Found 24-26 of 70 tested chemicals

Irene Crowe's blood and urine contained 24-26 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 the highest levels of Lead compared to all others in EWG studies
  • This participant's samples show above average levels of Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), Methylmercury, BADGE-4OH and Phthalates compared to all others in EWG studies

Summary of chemicals found in Irene Crowe

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)lowReproduction 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
PhthalatesmoderateEndocrine system Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Leadhigh Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood
BADGE-4OHmoderateEndocrine system Food can linings, dental sealants

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

8-10 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: 2.47 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Low vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (6th %ile)
  • Low vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (14th %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: 22.6 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (69th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum174


perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

6 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 45.3 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
  • High vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (78th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum77.7


Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

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: 403 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (63rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

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: 4.7 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (96th %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: 6.93 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (85th %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 Irene Crowe

44 chemicals

Bisphenol A, PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PBDE-30, PBDE-209, PBDE-32, PBDE-35, PBDE-37, PBDE-47, PBDE-49, PBDE-66, PBDE-7, PBDE-71, PBDE-75, PBDE-77, PBDE-79, PBDE-85, PBDE-99, PBDE-116, PBDE-13, PBDE-138, PBDE-166, PBDE-17, PBDE-25, PBDE-8, PBDE-11, PBDE-10, PBDE-100, PBDE-105, PBDE-12, PBDE-126, PBDE-128, PBDE-140, PBDE-154, PBDE-181, PBDE-203, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-208

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