about this participant:

Anonymous Adult 4, from Washington, DC, participated in the 2007 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG/Commonweal Study #7, consumer product chemicals in adults and teens." She gave blood and urine for the study on May 25, 2006 at age 59.

Location:

Washington, DC

Participant's groups:

Female, Adult

Study:

EWG/Commonweal Study #7, consumer product chemicals in adults and teens


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Sample Date:

May 25, 2006



health & safety concerns:
chemicals found in this person
Brain and nervous system24
Reproduction and fertility23
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)6
Chronic effects, general4
Respiratory system4
Birth defects and developmental delays3
Cancer3
Endocrine system2



picture of Anonymous Adult 4

Participant: Anonymous Adult 4
Found 36-40 of 84 tested chemicals

Anonymous Adult 4's blood and urine contained 36-40 of 84 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and immune system toxicity.

Summary of chemicals found in Anonymous Adult 4

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)moderateReproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food
Phthalateshigh Cosmetics, paint, soft plastic, food packaging, and other consumer products
Triclosanfound, not quantifiedEndocrine system, Skin Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)moderateBirth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans
PerchloratelowHematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays Contaminated food and drinking water
Nitro- and polycylic- muskshighCancer Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
MercuryhighBrain and nervous system Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Leadhigh Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

18-22 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: 78.4 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (75th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
1.11ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum314


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

phthalates

6 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: 1280 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • High vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
  • High vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (91st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

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: found, but not quantified

found in 17 of 21 people, but not quantified

 


perfluorochemicals (pfcs)

5 of 13 found — see each chemical

Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.

  • cumulative level found: 29 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (57th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (49th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.63ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum77.7


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: 1.7 ug/L in urine
  • Moderate vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (71st %ile)
  • Low vs 2,818 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (19th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L in urine5.6


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: 0.82 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
  • High vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (77th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum4.23


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: 3.19 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (68th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (93rd %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
7.0E-5ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood12


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: 4.22 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (68th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (96th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


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: 3.1 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (84th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


Chemicals not found in Anonymous Adult 4

44 chemicals

4-tert-Octylphenol, Nonylphenol, BADGE-4OH, Bisphenol A, Galaxolide, Musk xylene, Traseolide, Celestolide, Tonalide, Musk ketone, Cashmeran, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-206, PBDE-209, PBDE-32, PBDE-12, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-79, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-13, PBDE-30, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-105, PBDE-190, PBDE-51, PBDE-181, PBDE-208, PBDE-128, PBDE-207

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