Key Findings from the Pollution in People Report

This study reveals that Oregonian’s bodies are polluted through repeated, regular exposure to many toxic chemicals. The Oregonians we tested have all six classes of chemicals in their bodies, including mercury, phthalates, PCBs, PFCs, organophospahte pesticides, and bisphenol A. We found an astonishing 19 of the 29 toxic chemicals tested for. The average body burden was 12 toxic chemicals. Table 2 in the appendix shows these results. The chemicals we tested for pose potentially serious health threats to all Oregonians, and many, such as PCBs and mercury, are persistent (slow to degrade) and bioaccumulate (build up in the food chain).

Many of the chemicals we found in the bodies of our study participants are found in everyday consumer products, including plastic water bottles, toys, cosmetics and personal care products, furniture, carpeting, cookware and clothing. They are found in common materials such as plastics, coatings, and adhesives. Oregonians are exposed to these chemicals when using and disposing of these products, ingesting household dust, breathing indoor air pollution, eating contaminated foods, and drinking contaminated water.

The detection of 19 mostly unregulated and potentially toxic chemicals in average Oregonians shows that the safety system for industrial chemicals is broken and needs to be fixed. Current laws and practices do not prevent routine exposure to hazardous chemicals in our daily lives.

For detailed results of all chemicals measured in each participant, see the tables in the appendix at the end of this report. Table 1 identifies the 29 chemicals tested for. These chemicals fall into six chemical groups: phthalates, mercury, PFCs, pesticides, bisphenol A, and PCBs. All six groups of chemicals tested for were detected in Oregonians, although not every chemical was found in every participant. Three of the participants tested had detectable levels of all six chemical groups in their bodies.

Table 2 reports all of the chemical testing results for each individual participant. It also indicates which chemicals were not detected and the lowest level measurable (i.e., the limit of detection). Table 3 summarizes the results for the group and compares them to similar results from the national biomonitoring program or similar body burden studies.

The sections of the report that follow provide more details on each group of chemicals, including how we are exposed, known health impacts, policy changes needed to reduce our exposures, and suggestions for personal actions that individuals can take to reduce exposures to these toxic chemicals.

Phthalates

Six of the seven phthalate metabolites were detected in nearly every Oregonian we tested. The levels of four of the six phthalates detected in the participants were higher than the national average.

For one phthalate, the median participant value was higher than 75% of all Americans tested. Phthalates are added to thousands of personal care products and soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic used in everything from shower curtains and packaging to inflatable toys and IV bags in hospitals. Phthalates are hormonedisrupting chemicals that threaten reproductive health.

Mercury

All ten Oregon participants had measurable levels of mercury in their bodies. Mercury levels for all but one participant were higher than the national median level of mercury. The methylmercury levels measured in blood most likely resulted from consumption of mercury-contaminated fish, such as canned tuna and tuna sushi. Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that interferes with brain development. 

PFCs

All ten Oregon participants had perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their blood. Of the 13 PFCs tested, six were found. PFOS and PFOA were detected in every participant. These persistent chemicals are ubiquitous in the environment. PFCs are used as stain-and water-resistant coatings on furniture, clothing, and carpets; grease-resistant coatings in fast-food packaging; non-stick coatings for cookware; and other Teflon® products including G ore-Tex. The greatest potential health risks are cancer and liver damage.

Pesticides

Three of the ten Oregonians tested positive for organophosphate pesticides in their bodies. Of the six organophosphate pesticide metabolites we tested, we found four in the participants. One of the most likely sources for pesticides exposure is from the food we eat. Organophosphate pesticides are known to be harmful to the nervous system and are associated with poor memory and damaged motor skills.

Bisphenol A

Eight of the ten Oregonians tested had detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies. Six had urine levels of bisphenol A that were higher than the national median levels. Two participants had levels of bisphenol A that were in the top 10% nationally. BPA is a plastic building block chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics used in baby bottles, reusable water bottles, and many other products. Bisphenol A mimics the actions of naturally occurring estrogen, but also has other mechanisms of action. Animal tests show that exposure to very low doses may adversely affect reproduction, sexual development, and other biological systems.

PCBs

All ten of the Oregon participants were found to have PCBs in their blood. While the median concentration of PCBs was lower than the national median, the highest PCB concentration was more than three times the national median. Our society continues to suffer from the toxic legacy of PCBs more than 30 years after they were banned in the United S tates. PCBs enter the environment and accumulate in water. For most people, food is the most significant source of exposure. PCBs are considered probable carcinogens and prenatal exposures have been linked to impaired brain development.