
about this participant:
Jean Salone, a community activist from Corpus Christi, TX, participated in the -0001 biomonitoring investigation entitled "Adult Minority Leader Report." She gave blood and urine for the study on August 4, 2008 at age 67.
Jean Salone is a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi, a cancer survivor and an environmental justice community organizer. She was a key witness in a landmark case against the local CITGO refinery for criminal violations of the federal Clean Air Act. The company was found guilty in July 2007.
Location:
Corpus Christi, TX
Participant's groups:
Study:
Sample Date:
August 4, 2008
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Brain and nervous system | 33 |
Reproduction and fertility | 32 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 3 |
Endocrine system | 3 |
Hematologic (blood) system | 2 |
Cancer | 2 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 2 |
Chronic effects, general | 2 |

Participant: Jean Salone
Found 41-45 of 75 tested chemicals
Jean Salone's blood and urine contained 41-45 of 75 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, and birth defects and developmental delays.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), Bisphenol A and Nitro- and polycylic- musks compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Jean Salone
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | high | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | high | 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 |
Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
Methylmercury | low | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
Mercury | low | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
Bisphenol A | high | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
27-31 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: 180 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (89th %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)
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
7 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 46.3 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
- High vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (80th %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: 0.25 ug/L in urine
- Low vs 24 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (21st %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
2 of 10 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 0.56 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 42 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (62nd %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 4.23 | |
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Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
metals
3 of 3 found
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: 1.69 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (46th %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 |
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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 [B]
- 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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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: 0.19 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (25th %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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bisphenol a & badge
1 of 1 found
Detected in polycarbonate plastic, dental sealants, and resins that line metal cans. Linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, cancer with effects at very low doses.
- level found: 4.48 ug/g creatinine in urine
- High vs 17 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (83rd %ile)
- High vs 2,612 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (77th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
ug/g creatinine in urine | 6.06 | |
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Chemicals not found in Jean Salone
30 chemicals
Tetrabromobisphenol A, Celestolide, Cashmeran, Musk ketone, Phantolide, Musk xylene, Musk tibetene, Musk moskene, Traseolide, PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PBDE-209, PBDE-11, PBDE-13, PBDE-8, PBDE-12, PBDE-7, PBDE-10, PBDE-35, PBDE-32, PBDE-77, PBDE-105, PBDE-128, PBDE-126, PBDE-190, 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.)
[B] Peak found in sample and associated Lab Blank below the reporting limit.
See results for this participant's group
