about this participant:

Michael Lerner, an educator from Bolinas, CA, participated in the 2003 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults." He gave blood and urine for the study at age 59.

Michael Lerner is president and founder of Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in Marin County, California. He has worked for thirty years with at-risk children, people with cancer, and environmental health initiatives. He is married to Sharyle Patton, who was also a participant in the Body Burden Study.

Related links:

• Report executive summary

Location:

Bolinas, CA

Participant's groups:

Patton Lerner Family, Male, Commonweal, Adult

Study:

EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults

Participant: Michael Lerner
Found 88.616666666667-103 of 214 tested chemicals

Michael Lerner's blood and urine contained 88.616666666667-103 of 214 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to immune system toxicity, brain and nervous system toxicity, and birth defects and developmental delays.

• Mercury exposure above the federal government's safe level
• This participant's samples show the highest levels of Arsenic (inorganic only), Methylmercury compared to all others in EWG studies
• This participant's samples show above average levels of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Lead, Chlorinated dioxins & furans and compared to all others in EWG studies

Summary of chemicals found in Michael Lerner

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (vocs and svocs)

30 of 76 found — see each chemical

Used in wide range of household, craft, and industrial products. Common tap water and air pollutants. Includes neurotoxins and carcinogens.

• cumulative level found: found, but not quantified

phthalates

3 of 6 found — see each chemical

In cosmetics, paint, and plastics. Linked to sperm damage and birth defects of male reproductive system.

• cumulative level found: found, but not quantified

alkylphenols

1 of 1 found — see each chemical

Surfactants in cosmetics, paints, detergents. Toxic to wildlife. May harm hormone system.

• cumulative level found: found, but not quantified

polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

31.616666666667-46 of 77 found — see each chemical

Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.

• cumulative level found: 229 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• High vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (86th %ile)
• Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (74th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

2.95	ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	600

organochlorine pesticides (ocs)

3 of 23 found — see each chemical

Includes DDT, chlordane, other pesticides. Largely banned in the U.S. Build up in the human body over time. Cause cancer and reproductive harm.

• cumulative level found: 0.615 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• Low vs 27 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (4th %ile)
• Low vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

0.615	ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	2830

chlorinated dioxins & furans

15 of 17 found — see each chemical

Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.

• cumulative level found: 292 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
• Moderate vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (62nd %ile)
• Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (67th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

5	pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum	1860

metals

3 of 5 found

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: 3.18 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
• High vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (85th %ile)
• High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (87th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)

0.222	ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood	4.7

Arsenic (inorganic only)

Known human carcinogen in pressure-treated wood and food. Common tap water pollutant.

• level found: 21 ppb in urine
• High vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)

	ppb in urine	21

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: 25.6 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
• High vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %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 blood	25.9

organophosphate pesticide metabolites (ops)

2 of 9 found — see each chemical

Breakdown products from pesticides, including Dursban, formerly used in homes and currently used on produce. Can damage brain development.

• cumulative level found: 4 ppb in urine
• Low vs 9 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (12th %ile)

4	ppb in urine	70.4

Chemicals not found in Michael Lerner

111 chemicals

2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), Chromium, Cadmium, 4,4'-DDD, Aldrin, alpha-Endosulphan, beta-Endosulphan, alpha-Chlordane, Dieldrin, Endosulphan Sulphate, Endrin, Endrin Ketone, alpha-BHC, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Endrin aldehyde, gamma-BHC (Lindane), delta-BHC, gamma-Chlordane, 4,4'-DDT, Methoxychlor, Mirex, Pentachlorophenol, Diethylphosphorodithidate (DEDTP), Dimethylphosphorodithidate (DMDTP), Dimethylphosphate (DMP), Dimethylphosphorothidate (DMPT), Diethylphosphate (DEP), Diethylphosphorothidate (DEPT), Chlorpyrifos metabolite (3,5,6-TCP), Butyl benzyl phthalate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Di-n-octyl phthalate, PCB-105, PCB-127, PCB-128, PCB-167, PCB-166, PCB-82, PCB-195, PCB-200, PCB-207, PCB-42, PCB-185, PCB-86, PCB-97, PCB-119, PCB-91, PCB-189, PCB-205, PCB-158, PCB-114, PCB-123, PCB-120, PCB-77, PCB-126, PCB-169, PCB-79, PCB-80, PCB-37, PCB-81, PCB-49, PCB-60, PCB-92, 11,14-Methyl Ester Eicosadienoic acid, Methyl ester 9,12-Hexadecadienoic acid, 9-Hexadecenoic acid, bis(1-methylpropyl) ester Hexanedioic acid, n-Tetradecanoic acid, Oleic acid, Diisooctyl ester Diphosphoric acid, 2-Decanol, 3-Methylcyclopentanol, 5-Methyl-2-heptanol, 7-methyl-7-Heptadecanol, tetradecanal, 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylhexane, 2,4,4-Trimethylhexane, 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, 2,4,6-trimethyl-Decane, 2,5,6-trimethyl-Decane, 3-bromo-Decane, 2,6-dimethyl Heptadecane, n-Octacosane, 3-bromo-3-methyl Pentane, 5-propyl-Tridecane, 1,E-11,Z-13-Hexadecatriene, 17-Pentatriacontene, (E)-3-Octadecene, 1,5-Heptadien-3-yne, o-(phenylmethyl)-Hydroxylamine, (3-octylundecyl)-Benzene, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl-Phenol, 3-isopentyl Sydnone, (1,2-dimethylbutyl)-Cyclohexane, 1,5,5-trimethyl-6-(2-propenylidene)-Cyclohexene, 2-hydroxy-Cyclopentadecanone, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-Cyclopentane, Ethylcyclohexane, Didodecyl 3,3-thiodipropionate, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, O-methyloxime 3,5-dimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 2-Nonanone, 4,6-dimethyl-5-Hepten-2-one, alpha-Toluenesulfonyl chloride, Cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate, Mono(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Ethyl Benzene, meta-Xylene, ortho-Xylene

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

• EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
• Patton Lerner Family
• Male
• Commonweal
• Adult