about this participant:
Jessica Assaf, a student from San Rafael, CA, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on May 9, 2007 at age 17.
Related links:
Location:
San Rafael, CA
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
Sample Date:
May 9, 2007
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 6 |
| Respiratory system | 4 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 |
| Endocrine system | 2 |
| Skin | 2 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 1 |
| Cancer | 1 |
Participant: Jessica Assaf
Found 13 of 25 tested chemicals
Jessica Assaf's blood and urine contained 13 of 25 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, respiratory system toxicity, and chronic effects.
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of Ethylparaben compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Musk ketone, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben and Mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Jessica Assaf
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Parabens | high | Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications | |
| Triclosan | moderate | Endocrine system, Skin | Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items |
| Phthalates | moderate | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products | |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | low | Endocrine system, Cancer | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
parabens
5 of 6 found
Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- cumulative level found: 680 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
| 8.39 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 3820 |
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Total Parabens
Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 2.83 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 78.7 | |
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Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 138 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 138 | |
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Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 1.57 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 20.7 | |
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Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 525 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
| 6.47 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2920 |
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Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- level found: 12.7 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (54th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 898 | |
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triclosan
1 of 1 found
Antibacterial agent (pesticide) in liquid hand soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, footwear, and plastic products labeled "antibacterial." Triclosan may disrupt thyroid hormones, and can form several chemicals with health and environmental concerns.
- level found: 2.88 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (40th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (29th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 350 | |
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phthalates
6 of 7 found
In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.
- cumulative level found: 232 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (37th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (40th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
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Total Phthalates
Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- level found: 86.8 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (70th %ile)
- High vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (92nd %ile)
| 5.64 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 6960 |
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Mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate
Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics; fetal and adult exposure to DEHP in animals is linked to male reproductive issues.
- level found: 54.9 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (71st %ile)
- High vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (91st %ile)
| 5.98 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 2850 |
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Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics. Linked to male reproductive issues in people and animals.
- level found: 21.8 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (77th %ile)
- High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (95th %ile)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 829 | |
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Formed from dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish, cosmetics, and other consumer products; linked to birth defects and male reproductive issues.
- level found: 48.4 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (41st %ile)
- High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (84th %ile)
| 7.53 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 250 |
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Breakdown product of benzylbutyl phthalate, used in vinyl flooring, car-care products, some cosmetics. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- level found: 5.19 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (3rd %ile)
- Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (16th %ile)
| 2.73 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 436 |
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Breakdown product of diethyl phthalate, used in consumer products, fragrances. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.
- level found: 15.3 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (7th %ile)
- Low vs 8,015 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (3rd %ile)
| 9.38 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 849 |
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nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 of 11 found
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 0.0891 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (24th %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
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Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, detergents, soaps. Can irritate the skin and bioaccumulate in people. Suspected hormone disruptor.
- level found: 0.0891 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 0.105 | |
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Chemicals not found in Jessica Assaf
12 chemicals
Cashmeran, Celestolide, Phantolide, Galaxolide, Tonalide, Traseolide, Musk ambrette, Musk moskene, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, Benzylparaben, Monomethyl phthalate
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
