about this participant:
Anonymous Adult 16, a researcher from San Francisco, CA, 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 22, 2006 at age 50.
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG/Commonweal Study #7, consumer product chemicals in adults and teens
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sample Date:
May 22, 2006
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Brain and nervous system | 22 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 21 |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
| Endocrine system | 5 |
| Chronic effects, general | 3 |
| Respiratory system | 3 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 3 |
| Hematologic (blood) system | 2 |
Participant: Anonymous Adult 16
Found 37-40 of 84 tested chemicals
Anonymous Adult 16's blood and urine contained 37-40 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.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Alkylphenols, BADGE-4OH, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Phthalates compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Anonymous Adult 16
| 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 | |
| Triclosan | found, not quantified | Endocrine system, Skin | Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaning products, shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards, other antibacterial items |
| Alkylphenols | high | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, detergents, pesticides, paints, carpet and dry cleaning |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | low | 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 | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
| Mercury | moderate | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
| Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| BADGE-4OH | moderate | Endocrine system | Food can linings, dental sealants |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
17-20 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: 24.2 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (55th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (36th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 1.11 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 314 |
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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: 323 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Moderate vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (52nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (54th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 102 | ug/g creatinine in urine | 10800 |
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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
alkylphenols
1 of 2 found — see each chemical
Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 1.4 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 19 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
| ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 3.3 | |
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Total Alkylphenols
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
7 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 16.9 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (28th %ile)
- Low vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (21st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 2.63 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 77.7 |
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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: 0.2 ug/L in urine
- Low vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (17th %ile)
- Low vs 2,818 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (1st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| ug/L in urine | 5.6 | |
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nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 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 serum | 4.23 | |
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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: 0.4 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (30th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (37th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 7.0E-5 | ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 12 |
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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: 0.36 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (19th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (28th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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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: 1.7 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (61st %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
| 0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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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: 13.5 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum [C]
- Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (64th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 174 | |
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Chemicals not found in Anonymous Adult 16
44 chemicals
Nonylphenol, Bisphenol A, Cashmeran, Traseolide, Musk ketone, Tonalide, Musk moskene, Musk xylene, Musk tibetene, Celestolide, PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), Mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-128, PBDE-209, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-30, PBDE-13, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-32, PBDE-12, PBDE-75, PBDE-120, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-119, PBDE-105, PBDE-51, PBDE-183, PBDE-181, PBDE-208
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
