about this participant:

Anonymous Adult 11, an executive from Palo Alto, CA, 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 May 23, 2006 at age 32.

Location:

Palo Alto, CA

Participant's groups:

Workplace #1, Mountain View, Male, Adult

Study:

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


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Sample Date:

May 23, 2006



health & safety concerns:
 chemicals found in this person
Reproduction and fertility24
Brain and nervous system24
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)7
Chronic effects, general4
Respiratory system4
Endocrine system4
Skin3
Birth defects and developmental delays3



picture of Anonymous Adult 11

Participant: Anonymous Adult 11
Found 39-43 of 84 tested chemicals

Anonymous Adult 11's blood and urine contained 39-43 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.

Summary of chemicals found in Anonymous Adult 11

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
Phthalatesmoderate 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
PerchloratemoderateHematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays Contaminated food and drinking water
Nitro- and polycylic- musksmoderateCancer, Endocrine system Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps
MercuryhighBrain and nervous system Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings
Methylmercuryhigh Dietary sources, particularly seafood
Leadlow Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water
BADGE-4OHmoderateEndocrine system Food can linings, dental sealants

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: 26.1 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (57th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (37th %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: 268 ug/g creatinine in urine
  • Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (42nd %ile)
  • Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (46th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
102ug/g creatinine in urine10800


Total Phthalates

triclosan

1 of 1 found

Triclosan

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)

7 of 13 found — see each chemical

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

  • cumulative level found: 25.2 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (44th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (41st %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

Perchlorate

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: 3.4 ug/L in urine
  • High vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (84th %ile)
  • Moderate vs 2,818 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (43rd %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: 0.12 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
  • Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (31st %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum4.23


Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks

metals

3 of 3 found

Mercury, total

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: 7.26 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (90th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
7.0E-5ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood12


Methylmercury

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: 7.46 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
  • High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (87th %ile)
  • High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood25.9


Lead

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: 0.5 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood [*]
  • Low vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (19th %ile)
  • Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood4.7


bisphenol a & badge

1 of 2 found

BADGE-4OH

Metabolite of BADGE, used to make metal food can linings. Linked to hormone activity, skin and immune system toxicity and cancer.

  • level found: 6.47 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum [C]
  • Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (37th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum174


Chemicals not found in Anonymous Adult 11

41 chemicals

4-tert-Octylphenol, Nonylphenol, Bisphenol A, Cashmeran, Traseolide, Musk ketone, Tonalide, Musk tibetene, Celestolide, Galaxolide, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-208, PBDE-209, PBDE-206, PBDE-128, PBDE-32, PBDE-13, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-12, PBDE-30, PBDE-75, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-105, PBDE-190, PBDE-51, PBDE-183, PBDE-181

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.)

[*] Concentration was above detection limits but below practical quantification limits and should be considered an estimate

[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