about this participant:
Adult B, from USA, participated in the -0001 biomonitoring investigation entitled "Other Body Burden Studies." gave for the study.
Location:
USA
Participant's groups:
Study:
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
| Brain and nervous system | 33 |
| Reproduction and fertility | 32 |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
| Cancer | 2 |
| Hematologic (blood) system | 1 |
| Biochemical effects | 1 |
| Endocrine system | 1 |
| Kidney and renal system | 1 |
Participant: Adult B
Found 36-40 of 63 tested chemicals
Adult B's contained 36-40 of 63 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 the highest levels of PBDE-128, PBDE-207, PBDE-79 compared to all others in EWG studies
- This participant's samples show above average levels of PBDE-37, PBDE-203, PBDE-71 and PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Adult B
| chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | moderate | Reproduction and fertility, Brain and nervous system | Foam furniture, carpet padding, computers, televisions, contaminated house dust, food |
| Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | low | Birth defects and developmental delays, Cancer, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
| Lead | moderate | Lead-based paint in older homes, household dust, vinyl products, tap water | |
| Mercury | moderate | Brain and nervous system | Seafood, flu shots/vaccines, dental fillings |
| Methylmercury | moderate | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes)
27-31 of 46 found
Fire retardants in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulate in human tissues. May harm brain development.
- cumulative level found: 93.3 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (61st %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)
Decabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants currently used in plastics and fabric. The major use is in electronic devices; the minor use is as a backcoating on industrial fabrics. Are directly toxic to mammals and breakdown to more dangerous forms in the environment.
A fire retardant used in TVs, monitors and electronics. Growing evidence that chemical breaks down in the environment to more persistent and toxic forms.
- level found: 16 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 270 | |
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Dibrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.302 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (79th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 3.23 | |
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Heptabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated flame retardants used in plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.591 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (92nd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 4.31 | |
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Hexabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in foam and plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.114 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [K]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.114 | |
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- level found: 0.167 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.59 | |
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- level found: 0.12 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (90th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.54 | |
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- level found: 8.49 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (76th %ile)
| 0.238 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 76.9 |
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- level found: 0.593 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (60th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 2.73 | |
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- level found: 0.103 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (90th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.488 | |
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- level found: 0.167 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (87th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.59 | |
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Nonabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants currently used in plastics and fabric. The major use is in electronic devices; the minor use is as a backcoating on industrial fabrics. Are directly toxic to mammals and breakdown to more dangerous forms in the environment.
- level found: 5.04 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 19.9 | |
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- level found: 12.6 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 19 | |
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- level found: 3.83 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 14.7 | |
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Octabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated flame retardants used in plastics. Break down into more toxic and persistent forms in the environment. Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 2.89 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (97th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 16.5 | |
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Pentabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 6.04 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (69th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 32.6 | |
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- level found: 0.0408 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (85th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.27 | |
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- level found: 0.0408 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [KD]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (85th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.27 | |
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- level found: 0.67 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (91st %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (38th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 2.27 | |
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In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 5.6 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (63rd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 31.2 | |
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Tetrabrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
In PBDE chemical family - fire retardant in furniture foam, computers, televisions; may harm brain development and hormone systems.
- level found: 26.2 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (80th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (63rd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 143 | |
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- level found: 0.305 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1.26 | |
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- level found: 0.0246 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.191 | |
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- level found: 0.326 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (50th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1.33 | |
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- level found: 0.0328 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (96th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.273 | |
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- level found: 0.025 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [K]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (82nd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.128 | |
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- level found: 0.823 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (99th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.823 | |
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Tribrominated diphenyl ethers
Brominated fire retardants used in polyurethan foam and plastics. These PBDEs are neurotoxic and persist in people and the environment. They were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005.
- level found: 0.124 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (93rd %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.673 | |
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- level found: 0.124 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum [D]
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (89th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.673 | |
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- level found: 2.1 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 116 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (94th %ile)
- High vs 2,337 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (99th %ile)
| 0.0385 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 6.17 |
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- level found: 2.1 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
| 0.0385 | ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 6.17 |
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- level found: 0.0396 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- High vs 76 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (98th %ile)
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.386 | |
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perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
6 of 13 found
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 6.07 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (10th %ile)
- Low vs 3,959 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (8th %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)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 9-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 1.04 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (37th %ile)
- Moderate vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (66th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 5.85 | |
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Used to make Teflon pan coatings; breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings. Likely human carcinogen. Found in most people. Being phased out of some products.
- level found: 1.03 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (8th %ile)
- Low vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (15th %ile)
| 0.366 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 10.1 |
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PFOSA (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid)
In Scotchgard prior to 2000 - part of the 'PFOS chemistry' phased out of use by 3M in 2000 over health concerns; metabolized into PFOS by the body.
- level found: 0.128 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (95th %ile)
- Low vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.08 | |
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PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. An 11-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.136 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (64th %ile)
- High vs 2,368 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (93rd %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.76 | |
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PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate)
In fire fighting foams and carpet treatments. Phased out of consumer products by 3M in 2000 over health concerns.
- level found: 0.526 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (24th %ile)
- Low vs 1,591 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (12th %ile)
| ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 13.1 | |
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PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonate)
Active ingredient in Scotchgard prior to 2000. Phase out forced by EPA because concentrations in human blood close to levels that harm lab animals.
- level found: 3.21 ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 55 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (8th %ile)
- Low vs 1,591 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (2nd %ile)
| 1.07 | ng/mL (wet weight) in blood serum | 64.1 |
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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: 1.24 ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 71 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (36th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (41st %ile)
| 0.222 | ug/dL (wet weight) in whole blood | 4.7 |
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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: 0.47 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 40 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (33rd %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (37th %ile)
| 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: 0.33 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Low vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (18th %ile)
- Moderate vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (28th %ile)
| ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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Chemicals not found in Adult B
23 chemicals
Tetrabromobisphenol A, PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid), PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PBDE-12, PBDE-11, PBDE-13, PBDE-8, PBDE-190, PBDE-7, PBDE-10, PBDE-30, PBDE-32, PBDE-35, PBDE-77, PBDE-105, PBDE-116, PBDE-126, 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.)
[D] The concentration detected in the lab blank is 15% or greater of the detected value.
[K] Peak detected but did not meet quantification criteria; concentration is unconfirmed
See results for this participant's group
