
about this participant:
Anonymous Adult 18, an investor from Alamo, 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 22, 2006 at age 58.
Location:
Alamo, 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 | 19 |
Reproduction and fertility | 18 |
Endocrine system | 6 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 5 |
Chronic effects, general | 4 |
Respiratory system | 3 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
Cancer | 2 |

Participant: Anonymous Adult 18
Found 35-37 of 84 tested chemicals
Anonymous Adult 18's blood and urine contained 35-37 of 84 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and endocrine system toxicity.
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of Alkylphenols compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Lead, Nitro- and polycylic- musks, Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Anonymous Adult 18
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | low | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
Phthalates | low | 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) | moderate | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Nitro- and polycylic- musks | moderate | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Mercury | low | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
Methylmercury | low | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
Lead | high | 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)
15-17 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: 13.1 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (29th %ile)
- Low vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (21st %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: 121 ug/g creatinine in urine
- Low vs 72 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (10th %ile)
- Low vs 8,020 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (16th %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: 3.3 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 19 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %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: 30.4 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (59th %ile)
- Moderate vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (51st %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)
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: 0.61 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (67th %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: 0.17 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood [*]
- Low vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (23rd %ile)
- Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (22nd %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: 0.11 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood [*]
- Low vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (11th %ile)
- Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (14th %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: 3.7 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (92nd %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (92nd %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: 7.97 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum [C]
- Moderate vs 41 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (40th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 174 | |
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Chemicals not found in Anonymous Adult 18
47 chemicals
4-tert-Octylphenol, Bisphenol A, Traseolide, Cashmeran, Musk ketone, Musk moskene, Musk xylene, Musk tibetene, Celestolide, Perchlorate, PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), Mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Monomethyl phthalate, PBDE-181, PBDE-209, PBDE-206, PBDE-207, PBDE-128, PBDE-208, PBDE-30, PBDE-13, PBDE-12, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-32, PBDE-15, PBDE-75, PBDE-120, PBDE-25, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-119, PBDE-105, PBDE-17, PBDE-51, PBDE-183
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
