Mind, Disrupted — The Science: Results

Sixty-one toxic substances were detected at quantifiable concentrations in the twelve participants. Each participant had quantifiable concentrations of 26–38 toxic substances. Sixteen toxic substances were detected in every participant: bisphenol A, mercury, lead, Hexachlorobenzene, Beta-HCH, trans-nonachlor, p,p-DDE, PFOS, PFOA, perchlorate and PBDE 15, 28/33, 47, 99, 100, and 153.

Bisphenol A (BPA)99

BPA was detected in all the participants. It was above the CDC average in four participants, and above the 95th percentile in one of those four participants.

Heavy metals100, 101

Both mercury and lead were detected at quantifiable concentrations in all participants. Mercury concentrations were above the CDC average in ten participants and above the 95th percentile in two of those participants. Lead concentrations were above the CDC average in three participants.

Organochlorine pesticides102

Seventeen organochlorine pesticides were detected in the participants. Between seven and eleven organochlorine pesticides were detected in each participant. Four organochlorine pesticides were detected in all participants: hexachlorobenzene, Beta-HCH, trans-nonachlor, and p,p-DDE. The major metabolite of DDT, p,p-DDE, was detected at the highest concentration of any organochlorine pesticide.

One participant was above the CDC average for hexachlorobenzene.
Four participants were above the CDC average for oxychlordane.
Four participants were above the CDC average for trans-nonachlor.
One participant was above the CDC average for p,p-DDE.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)103

All participants had quantifiable concentrations of 10–20 PBDEs in their bodies. A total of 34 PBDE congeners were detected. PBDE congeners 15, 28/33, 47, 99, 100, and 153 were detected at quantifiable amounts in all the participants. PBDE congener 47 made up the largest percentage of quantifiable PBDEs, followed by PBDE 153, 209, 99 and 100.

Two participants had concentrations of PBDE 28/33 above the CDC average. One of those two were above the CDC 95th percentile. [It should be noted that the LDDI study simultaneously detected PBDE 28/33, while NHANES analyzed only for PDBE 28, creating an inaccurate comparison.]
Two participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 47. One was above the 95th percentile.
One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 66.
One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 85.
One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 99.
Two participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 100. One was above the 95th percentile.
Eight participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 153.
Eight participants had quantifiable concentrations of PBDE 209. NHANES data are not available for this chemical.

Perchlorate104

Six participants had perchlorate exposures above the CDC average 0.066 µg/kg/day, the typical daily dose for the U.S. population.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)105

Six PFCs were detected at quantifiable levels in participants. Between two and six PFCs were detected in each participant. Two participants had detectable concentrations of all six PFCs. PFOS and PFOA were found in all participants.

Three participants were above the CDC average for PFOS.
Four participants were above the CDC average for PFNA.
Two participants were above the CDC average for PFOA.
Seven participants were above the CDC average for PFHxS.

Triclosan106

Triclosan was detected in all but one of the participants. It was above the CDC average in six participants and above the 95th percentile in one of those six.

Analytical Methods

Samples were collected and analyzed using the highest quality control and assurance protocols. Analyses of PBDEs, bisphenol A, organochlorine pesticides, and triclosan were performed by AXYS Analytical, a Canadian laboratory that conducts analyses using GC/HRMS (Gas chromatography — high resolution mass spectrometry) and LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry) instrumentation and associated techniques. Mercury and lead analyses were conducted by Brooks-Rand Labs, specializing in analytical services with a focus on ultra-trace level metals analysis and metals speciation. Perchlorate analyses were conducted by the CDC. Details about analytical methods are available upon request.

Note: The Mind, Disrupted project tested 12 participants’ blood, however one participant (David Irons) chose not to have his urine tested, which explains why some charts show all 12 participants and those charts that indicate chemicals tested from urine samples only show 11 participants.

Click here to view the Table of Participant Results.



	The Science About the Data Results Click here to view the Mind, Disrupted Participant Results table. Clck here to download a PDF of the Mind, Disrupted Participant Results table.	Results Sixty-one toxic substances were detected at quantifiable concentrations in the twelve participants. Each participant had quantifiable concentrations of 26–38 toxic substances. Sixteen toxic substances were detected in every participant: bisphenol A, mercury, lead, Hexachlorobenzene, Beta-HCH, trans-nonachlor, p,p-DDE, PFOS, PFOA, perchlorate and PBDE 15, 28/33, 47, 99, 100, and 153. Bisphenol A (BPA)99 BPA was detected in all the participants. It was above the CDC average in four participants, and above the 95th percentile in one of those four participants. Heavy metals100, 101 Both mercury and lead were detected at quantifiable concentrations in all participants. Mercury concentrations were above the CDC average in ten participants and above the 95th percentile in two of those participants. Lead concentrations were above the CDC average in three participants. Organochlorine pesticides102 Seventeen organochlorine pesticides were detected in the participants. Between seven and eleven organochlorine pesticides were detected in each participant. Four organochlorine pesticides were detected in all participants: hexachlorobenzene, Beta-HCH, trans-nonachlor, and p,p-DDE. The major metabolite of DDT, p,p-DDE, was detected at the highest concentration of any organochlorine pesticide. One participant was above the CDC average for hexachlorobenzene. Four participants were above the CDC average for oxychlordane. Four participants were above the CDC average for trans-nonachlor. One participant was above the CDC average for p,p-DDE. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)103 All participants had quantifiable concentrations of 10–20 PBDEs in their bodies. A total of 34 PBDE congeners were detected. PBDE congeners 15, 28/33, 47, 99, 100, and 153 were detected at quantifiable amounts in all the participants. PBDE congener 47 made up the largest percentage of quantifiable PBDEs, followed by PBDE 153, 209, 99 and 100. Two participants had concentrations of PBDE 28/33 above the CDC average. One of those two were above the CDC 95th percentile. [It should be noted that the LDDI study simultaneously detected PBDE 28/33, while NHANES analyzed only for PDBE 28, creating an inaccurate comparison.] Two participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 47. One was above the 95th percentile. One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 66. One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 85. One participant was above the 95th percentile for PBDE 99. Two participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 100. One was above the 95th percentile. Eight participants were above the CDC average for PBDE 153. Eight participants had quantifiable concentrations of PBDE 209. NHANES data are not available for this chemical. Perchlorate104 Six participants had perchlorate exposures above the CDC average 0.066 µg/kg/day, the typical daily dose for the U.S. population. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)105 Six PFCs were detected at quantifiable levels in participants. Between two and six PFCs were detected in each participant. Two participants had detectable concentrations of all six PFCs. PFOS and PFOA were found in all participants. Three participants were above the CDC average for PFOS. Four participants were above the CDC average for PFNA. Two participants were above the CDC average for PFOA. Seven participants were above the CDC average for PFHxS. Triclosan106 Triclosan was detected in all but one of the participants. It was above the CDC average in six participants and above the 95th percentile in one of those six. Analytical Methods Samples were collected and analyzed using the highest quality control and assurance protocols. Analyses of PBDEs, bisphenol A, organochlorine pesticides, and triclosan were performed by AXYS Analytical, a Canadian laboratory that conducts analyses using GC/HRMS (Gas chromatography — high resolution mass spectrometry) and LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry) instrumentation and associated techniques. Mercury and lead analyses were conducted by Brooks-Rand Labs, specializing in analytical services with a focus on ultra-trace level metals analysis and metals speciation. Perchlorate analyses were conducted by the CDC. Details about analytical methods are available upon request. Note: The Mind, Disrupted project tested 12 participants’ blood, however one participant (David Irons) chose not to have his urine tested, which explains why some charts show all 12 participants and those charts that indicate chemicals tested from urine samples only show 11 participants. Click here to view the Table of Participant Results.