
about this participant:
Emily Sayrs, a student from Littleton, CO, 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 21, 2005 at age 17.
Related links:
Location:
Littleton, CO
Participant's groups:
Teen, Female, Davis Sayrs Family
Study:
EWG Study #6, consumer product chemicals in mothers and daughters
Sample Date:
November 21, 2005
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Reproduction and fertility | 28 |
Brain and nervous system | 28 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
Respiratory system | 4 |
Endocrine system | 3 |
Cancer | 2 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
Chronic effects, general | 2 |

Participant: Emily Sayrs
Found 37-41 of 70 tested chemicals
Emily Sayrs'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.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Phthalates, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), BADGE-4OH and Lead compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Emily Sayrs
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 |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | low | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
Phthalates | high | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
BADGE-4OH | moderate | Endocrine 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: 32.9 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (67th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (47th %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: 20.8 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (66th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 174 | |
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perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
4 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 17.3 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (30th %ile)
- Low vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (22nd %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
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 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (46th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (85th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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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)
0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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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: 746 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
- High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (81st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
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Total Phthalates
Chemicals not found in Emily Sayrs
29 chemicals
Bisphenol A, PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), 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), PBDE-208, PBDE-77, PBDE-7, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-209, PBDE-12, PBDE-207, PBDE-206, PBDE-203, PBDE-181, PBDE-128, PBDE-126, 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
