about this participant:
Alex Wells, a student from Washington, DC, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on June 4, 2007 at age 19.
Related links:
Location:
Washington, DC
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens
Sample Date:
June 4, 2007
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
| Respiratory system | 4 |
| Endocrine system | 3 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 |
| Skin | 1 |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 1 |
Participant: Alex Wells
Found 12 of 25 tested chemicals
Alex Wells's blood and urine contained 12 of 25 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, respiratory system toxicity, and endocrine system toxicity.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Triclosan, compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Alex Wells
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Parabens | moderate | 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 | low | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products |
| Nitro- and polycylic- musks | moderate | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
parabens
3 of 6 found — see each chemical
Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
- cumulative level found: 25 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (33rd %ile)
| 8.39 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 3820 |
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Total Parabens
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: 15.5 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (61st %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (65th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| ug/g creatinine in urine | 350 | |
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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: 148 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
- Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (22nd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
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Total Phthalates
nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 of 11 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 0.125 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (34th %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
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Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
Chemicals not found in Alex Wells
13 chemicals
Cashmeran, Celestolide, Phantolide, Tonalide, Traseolide, Musk ambrette, Musk moskene, Musk ketone, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, Ethylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Benzylparaben
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
