about this participant:

Susan Comfort, a development director from Washington, DC, participated in the 2003 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #2, flame retardants in breast milk." She gave breast milk for the study on February 1, 2003 at age 32, when her baby, Baby, was 28 days old.

Related links:
Location:

Washington, DC

Participant's groups:

Women of Childbearing Age, Female, Adult

Study:

EWG Study #2, flame retardants in breast milk

Sample Date:

February 1, 2003



health & safety concerns:
 chemicals found in this person
Reproduction and fertility24
Brain and nervous system24



picture of Susan Comfort

Participant: Susan Comfort
Found 21-24 of 44 tested chemicals

Susan Comfort's breast milk contained 21-24 of 44 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and fertility problems, brain and nervous system toxicity,

Summary of chemicals found in Susan Comfort

chemical family level found health effects exposure routes
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)lowReproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food

Test results by chemical family (see each chemical)

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)

21-24 of 44 found — see each chemical

Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.

  • cumulative level found: 19.7 ppb (lipid weight) in breast milk
  • Low vs 20 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (20th %ile)
9.51ppb (lipid weight) in breast milk1080


Total Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

Chemicals not found in Susan Comfort

20 chemicals

PBDE-7, PBDE-3, PBDE-2, PBDE-1, PBDE-13, PBDE-12, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-126, PBDE-10, PBDE-8, PBDE-32, PBDE-30, PBDE-116, PBDE-119, PBDE-105, PBDE-190, PBDE-181, PBDE-206, PBDE-11

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