Number of chemicals found in 9 people

Number of 9 people these were found in

Concentration range (average)

Units

Uses

Primary Sources of exposure

PCBs

48 of 73

9 of 9

57,290 to 455,790

pg/g in blood lipid basis

PCBs, banned in 1976, were used in adhesives, carbonless reproducing paper, cutting oils, dedusting agents, electrical capacitors, electrical transformers, vacuum pumps, gas-transmission turbines, fire retardants, hydraulic fluid, ink, lubricants, pesticide extenders, plasticizer, heat transfer systems, wax extenders

Contamination in seafood, meat and dairy products.

  Dioxin-like PCBs

5 of 12

9 of 9

1.5 to 10.9

pg/g TEQ in blood lipid basis

Dioxins and furans

15 of 17

9 of 9

15.7 to 36.6

pg/g TEQ in blood lipid basis

There are no industrial uses of dioxins or furans. Dioxins and furans are pollution from incineration, chlorine bleaching, PVC plastic production, and other industrial processes.

Contamination in seafood, meat and dairy products.

Organophosphate pesticide metabolites

7 of 9

9 of 9

4.0 to 70.4

ug/L in urine

Organophosphate pesticides are used as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and termiticides.

Contamination in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products; Direct exposure from home use

Organochlorine pesticides and metabolites

10 of 23

9 of 9

615 to 3084

pg/g in blood lipid basis

Organochlorine pesticides are used as fungicides, insecticides and termiticides.

Contamination in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products; Direct exposure from mosquito control spraying prior to the 1970s

Phthalates

6 of 6

9 of 9

97.2 to 904.8
[only Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was quantified]

ug/g in blood lipid basis *

Phthalates are used as plasticizers, solvents, desensitizing agents, dye carriers, perfume fixatives, and defoaming agents, as well as in nail polishes and explosives.

Exposure occurs upon contact or consumption of plastics, cosmetics, contaminated food, carpet, explosives, sealants, varnishes, paints, and primers

Other semivolatile and volatile chemicals (24 classes)

77

9 of 9

not quantified

The SVOCs and VOCs found in these 9 people are used in products from aviation fuel to food flavorings.

Daily life: exposures may occur from contaminated food, paints, furniture, or any number of other common consumer products

Metals

4 of 5

(see below)

  Lead

9 of 9

1.01 to 3.23

ug/dL in whole blood

Lead is released as pollution from burning fossil fuels, mining and manufacturing. Lead is used in ammunition, aviation fuel, batteries, cables, x-ray shields, and ceramics. Lead has also been historically used in paint, crystal tableware, gasoline, and drinking water pipes.

Chipping paint in older homes and water from lead pipes or lead solder in homes built before 1986

  Methylmercury

7 of 9

0.63 to 25.9

ug/L in whole blood

Methylmercury is created in the environment by bacteria converting mercury pollution, especially mercury from coal-fired power plants.

Canned tuna and other seafood that accumulates methylmercury from the environment

  Arsenic, inorganic

1 of 9

21

ug/L in urine

Arsenic is used in pressure-treated lumber, alloying constituents, certain types of glass, doping agents in germanium and silicon solid state products, dipoles and other electronic devices, copper and lead alloys, and even medicines.

Contact with outdoor lumber decks and playsets treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA); Contaminated drinking water

  Cadmium

3 of 9

0.5 to 0.7

ug/L in urine

Cadmium is released as pollution from mining and industrial operations and coal or waste combustion. Cadmium is used in baking enamels, batteries (Ni-Cd), electronics, fire protection systems, industrial machinery, lithography, machinery enamel, marine equipment, optics, pigments, nuclear reactor control rods, electroplating for automotive, aircraft & electronic parts, and to manufacture fungicides.

Foods contaminated with cadmium (shellfish, and some organ meats); Contaminated air near coal or waste combustion plants