
about this participant:
Anonymous Adult 5, a minister from Fredericksburg, VA, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG/Commonweal Study #7, consumer product chemicals in adults and teens." He gave blood and urine for the study on June 7, 2006 at age 54.
Location:
Fredericksburg, VA
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG/Commonweal Study #7, consumer product chemicals in adults and teens
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sample Date:
June 7, 2006
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Reproduction and fertility | 20 |
Brain and nervous system | 20 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
Chronic effects, general | 4 |
Respiratory system | 3 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 3 |
Cancer | 3 |
Endocrine system | 3 |

Participant: Anonymous Adult 5
Found 36-39 of 84 tested chemicals
Anonymous Adult 5's blood and urine contained 36-39 of 84 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 BADGE-4OH, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and Perchlorate compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Anonymous Adult 5
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 |
Phthalates | moderate | Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products | |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | moderate | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Perchlorate | low | Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Contaminated food and drinking water |
Nitro- and polycylic- musks | moderate | Cancer, Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Mercury | high | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
BADGE-4OH | high | Endocrine system | Food can linings, dental sealants |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
15-18 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: 46.7 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (74th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (59th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 314 |
![]() |
Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
phthalates
5 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: 221 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (34th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (38th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
![]() |
Total Phthalates
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
9 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 33.5 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (73rd %ile)
- Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (56th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 77.7 |
![]() |
Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
perchlorate
1 of 1 found
Explosive component of solid rocket and missile fuel. Widespread contaminant of food, drinking water, and people. Disrupts thyroid hormones, particularly in women with lower iodide intake; may harm brain development.
- level found: 1.2 ug/L in urine
- Moderate vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)
- Low vs 2,818 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (11th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L in urine | 5.6 | |
![]() |
nitro- and polycylic- musks
2 of 9 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 0.34 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (48th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
![]() |
Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
metals
3 of 3 found
Mercury is used in dental fillings and to preserve vaccines; it is also a common pollutant in seafood. Mercury harms brain development and function.
- level found: 2.18 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (53rd %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
7.0E-5 | ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 12 |
![]() |
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: 1.72 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (44th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (83rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
![]() |
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: 1.6 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (44th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (58th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
![]() |
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: 43.4 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum [C]
- High vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (81st %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 174 | |
![]() |
Chemicals not found in Anonymous Adult 5
45 chemicals
4-tert-Octylphenol, Nonylphenol, Bisphenol A, Cashmeran, Musk ketone, Tonalide, Galaxolide, Traseolide, Celestolide, Musk tibetene, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), Mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-181, PBDE-209, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-128, PBDE-208, PBDE-32, PBDE-13, PBDE-12, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-79, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-15, PBDE-30, PBDE-120, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-119, PBDE-105, PBDE-190, PBDE-51, PBDE-183, Triclosan
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.)
[C] BADGE-40H concentrations varied reproducibly between sampling vials, reflecting evidence of background contamination or blood composition differences between vials.
See results for this participant's group
