
about this participant:
Cord Blood Sample 19, from USA, participated in the 2009 biomonitoring investigation entitled "Pollution in Minority Newborns." She gave cord blood for the study on October 1, 2008.
Location:
USA
Participant's groups:
Study:
Pollution in Minority Newborns
Sample Date:
October 1, 2008
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Brain and nervous system | 139 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 124 |
Reproduction and fertility | 20 |
Gastrointestinal (including liver) | 11 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 7 |
Hematologic (blood) system | 2 |
Endocrine system | 2 |
Cancer | 2 |

Participant: Cord Blood Sample 19
Found 111-161 of 383 tested chemicals
Cord Blood Sample 19's cord blood contained 111-161 of 383 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to brain and nervous system toxicity, immune system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity and fertility problems.
- This participant's samples show the highest levels of Bisphenol A compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), Mercury, total, Methylmercury and compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Cord Blood Sample 19
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Nitro- and polycylic- musks | moderate | Endocrine system | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents, soaps |
Perchlorate | moderate | Hematologic (blood) system, Birth defects and developmental delays | Contaminated food and drinking water |
Mercury | high | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | moderate | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Bisphenol A | high | Polycarbonate plastics, food can linings, dental sealants | |
Chlorinated dioxins & furans | moderate | Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Birth defects and developmental delays | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | low | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | moderate | Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) | high | Gastrointestinal (including liver) | Dietary sources, fatty meat, dairy and fish |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood | |
Lead | low | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water |
Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)
nitro- and polycylic- musks
1 of 10 found — see each chemical
Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 1.1 ng/g (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 10 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (70th %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in whole blood | 2.74 | |
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Total Nitro- and polycylic- musks
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: 0.19 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 10 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (70th %ile)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 0.6 | |
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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: 3.91 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (70th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (95th %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: 3.28 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (61st %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (93rd %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: 0.314 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (9th %ile)
- Low vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (7th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
3 of 13 found — see each chemical
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 3.49 ng/g (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 23 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (40th %ile)
0.736 | ng/g (wet weight) in whole blood | 27.8 |
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Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
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: 8.61 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 51 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 8.61 | |
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chlorinated dioxins & furans
4 of 17 found — see each chemical
Pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer and may harm hormone system.
- cumulative level found: 73.1 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 34 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (42nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (49th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
5 | pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1860 |
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Total Chlorinated dioxins & furans
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
17-19 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: 6 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (13th %ile)
- Low vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (15th %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)
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
74-118 of 209 found — see each chemical
Banned industrial insulators and lubricants. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.
- cumulative level found: 25.8 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 35 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (46th %ile)
- Moderate vs 4,821 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (44th %ile) (comparison based on congeners tested by CDC)
2.95 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 600 |
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Total Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
polychlorinated naphthalenes (pcns)
7-11 of 70 found — see each chemical
Wood preservatives, varnishes, machine lubricating oils, waste incineration. Cause liver and kidney damage.
- cumulative level found: 1.09 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 23 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (79th %ile)
0.0743 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 3.43 |
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Total Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs)
Chemicals not found in Cord Blood Sample 19
222 chemicals
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OBDD (octadioxin), 2,3,7,8-TBDD (tetradioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDD (pentadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OBDF (octafuran), 2,3,7,8-TBDF (tetrafuran), 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF (pentafuran), 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDF (pentafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxBDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF (heptafuran), Tetrabromobisphenol A, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), 2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF (octafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF (heptafuran), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF (heptafuran), 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD (pentadioxin), 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetradioxin), Traseolide, Cashmeran, Musk moskene, Musk xylene, Musk tibetene, Celestolide, Tonalide, Phantolide, Musk ketone, PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PBDE-13, PBDE-12, PBDE-37, PBDE-11, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-7, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-75, PBDE-120, PBDE-71, PBDE-116, PBDE-66, PBDE-119, PBDE-166, PBDE-105, PBDE-51, PBDE-155, PBDE-85, PBDE-140, PBDE-138, PBDE-181, PBDE-128, PCB-15, PCB-14, PCB-38, PCB-39, PCB-81, PCB-37, PCB-13, PCB-12, PCB-80, PCB-36, PCB-127, PCB-79, PCB-169, PCB-126, PCB-77, PCB-35, PCB-9, PCB-31, PCB-29, PCB-7, PCB-24, PCB-34, PCB-26, PCB-121, PCB-23, PCB-120, PCB-33, PCB-25, PCB-22, PCB-58, PCB-57, PCB-161, PCB-192, PCB-162, PCB-159, PCB-122, PCB-107, PCB-56, PCB-55, PCB-6, PCB-5, PCB-54, PCB-19, PCB-104, PCB-103, PCB-48, PCB-155, PCB-96, PCB-46, PCB-152, PCB-150, PCB-145, PCB-188, PCB-186, PCB-148, PCB-142, PCB-144, PCB-184, PCB-204, PCB-42, PCB-136, PCB-84, PCB-176, PCB-131, PCB-207, PCB-82, PCB-16, PCB-10, PCB-32, PCB-73, PCB-27, PCB-72, PCB-69, PCB-124, PCB-68, PCB-67, PCB-21, PCB-112, PCB-165, PCB-111, PCB-106, PCB-94, PCB-43, PCB-140, PCB-139, PCB-182, PCB-181, PCB-89, PCB-78, PCB-64, PCB-49, PCN-10, PCN-26, PCN-48, PCN-9, PCN-25, PCN-6, PCN-5, PCN-24, PCN-47, PCN-23, PCN-46, PCN-22, PCN-21, PCN-20, PCN-45, PCN-44, PCN-19, PCN-43, PCN-42, PCN-3, PCN-18, PCN-17, PCN-41, PCN-16, PCN-39, PCN-15, PCN-37, PCN-36, PCN-14, PCN-35, PCN-34, PCN-62, PCN-33, PCN-61, PCN-32, PCN-59, PCN-58, PCN-72, PCN-57, PCN-71, PCN-13, PCN-31, PCN-30, PCN-56, PCN-29, PCN-55, PCN-54, PCN-70, PCN-28, PCN-53, PCN-69, PCN-51, PCN-68, PCN-27, PCN-50, PCN-49, PCN-65, PCN-64, PCN-63
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
