about this participant:

Caroline Burlingame, a student from Langhorne, PA, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on July 25, 2007 at age 16.

Related links:
Location:

Langhorne, PA

Participant's groups:

Teen, Female

Study:

EWG Study #10, cosmetic chemicals in teens

Sample Date:

July 25, 2007



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)5
Respiratory system4
Chronic effects, general3
Endocrine system2
Skin1



picture of Caroline Burlingame

Participant: Caroline Burlingame
Found 12 of 25 tested chemicals

Caroline Burlingame'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 chronic effects.

Summary of chemicals found in Caroline Burlingame

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Parabenslow Personal care products, some foods, beverages, and medications
TriclosanmoderateEndocrine system, Skin Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items
Phthalatesmoderate Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Nitro- and polycylic- musksmoderateEndocrine system Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps

Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)

parabens

4 of 6 found

Preservatives in cosmetics. Cause skin irritation and allergies. May be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • cumulative level found: 12.5 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (18th %ile)
8.39ug/g creatinine in urine3820


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: 0.852 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (58th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine78.7


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 0.879 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (47th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine138


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 7.53 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (11th %ile)
6.47ug/g creatinine in urine2920


Preservative widely used in cosmetics. Can trigger skin allergy and irritation, and may be linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

  • level found: 3.21 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (33rd %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine898


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: 1.48 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 28 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (25th %ile)
  • Low vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (16th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine350


phthalates

6 of 7 found

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

  • cumulative level found: 258 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (39th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (45th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

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: 18.1 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (51st %ile)
5.64ug/g creatinine in urine6960


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: 17.1 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (24th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 5,479 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (65th %ile)
5.98ug/g creatinine in urine2850


Breakdown product of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used in plastics. Linked to male reproductive issues in people and animals.

  • level found: 2.45 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (44th %ile)
ug/g creatinine in urine829


Formed from dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish, cosmetics, and other consumer products; linked to birth defects and male reproductive issues.

  • level found: 160 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
  • High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile)
7.53ug/g creatinine in urine250


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: 16.7 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (45th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (58th %ile)
2.73ug/g creatinine in urine436


Breakdown product of diethyl phthalate, used in consumer products, fragrances. Fetal and adult exposures are linked to male reproductive problems.

  • level found: 43.9 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (44th %ile)
  • Low vs 8,015 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (14th %ile)
9.38ug/g creatinine in urine849


nitro- and polycylic- musks

1 of 11 found

Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.

  • cumulative level found: 0.117 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (27th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum4.23


Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks

Synthetic fragrance in cosmetics, cleaning agents, detergents, air fresheners, perfumes. Suspected hormone disruptor. Prevents cells from blocking entry of toxins in animal study. Bioaccumulative.

  • level found: 0.117 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (48th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum3.6


Chemicals not found in Caroline Burlingame

13 chemicals

Cashmeran, Celestolide, Phantolide, Tonalide, Traseolide, Musk ambrette, Musk moskene, Musk ketone, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, Isopropylparaben, 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