![](https://www.ewg.org/sites/humantoxome/images/maintop.jpg)
about this participant:
Nina Damato, a student from Washington, DC, participated in the 2006 biomonitoring investigation entitled "EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens." She gave blood for the study on November 17, 2004 at age 17.
Location:
Washington, DC
Participant's groups:
Study:
EWG Study #5, Teflon and mercury in blood in adults and teens
Sample Date:
November 17, 2004
health & safety concerns: |
chemicals found in this person |
Cancer | 2 |
Birth defects and developmental delays | 2 |
Endocrine system | 1 |
Kidney and renal system | 1 |
Reproduction and fertility | 1 |
Brain and nervous system | 1 |
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | 1 |
Behavioral effects | 1 |
![picture of Nina Damato](../images/photos/photo_GS_NG.jpg)
Participant: Nina Damato
Found 9 of 14 tested chemicals
Nina Damato's blood contained 9 of 14 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals tested, including chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental delays, and endocrine system toxicity.
- This participant's samples show above average levels of PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid) and Methylmercury compared to all others in EWG studies
Summary of chemicals found in Nina Damato
chemical family | level found | health effects | exposure routes |
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) | moderate | Cancer, Birth defects and developmental delays, Endocrine system | Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, pans |
Methylmercury | high | Dietary sources, particularly seafood |
Detailed report by chemical (return to summary)
perfluorochemicals (pfcs)
8 of 13 found
Includes Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster. Linked to cancer and birth defects.
- cumulative level found: 22.7 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (38th %ile)
8.51 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 59.7 |
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Total Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 10-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.85 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (75th %ile)
0.2 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 2.03 |
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PFDoA (Perfluorododecanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets, including Stainmaster. Highly persistent and bioaccumulative.
- level found: 0.106 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)
ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 0.168 | |
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PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid)
Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 7-carbon version of PFOA; persistent.
- level found: 0.099 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- High vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (88th %ile)
0.044 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 0.127 |
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Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. A 9-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.
- level found: 1.98 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (63rd %ile)
0.591 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 5.24 |
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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: 3.1 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (38th %ile)
2.92 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 7.83 |
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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: 0.878 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (75th %ile)
0.115 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 1.49 |
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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: 0.985 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Low vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (25th %ile)
0.633 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 3.5 |
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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: 14.7 ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum
- Moderate vs 8 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (50th %ile)
3.96 | ng/g (wet weight) in blood serum | 47 |
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metals
1 of 1 found
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: 2.01 ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood
- Moderate vs 88 tested in EWG/Commonweal studies (47th %ile)
- High vs 8,373 tested in CDC biomonitoring [1] (86th %ile)
ug/L (wet weight) in whole blood | 25.9 | |
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Chemicals not found in Nina Damato
5 chemicals
PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate), PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid), PFPeA (Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid), PFTA (Perfluorotetradecanoic acid), PFBA (Perfluorobutyric acid)
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
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