10 people and chemicals in their midst

While there were no fires to fight the week he wore the wristband, he still came into contact with a number of hazardous chemicals – through his home environment and routine work maintaining fire station equipment, responding to medical calls, and visiting commercial and industrial sites. Among those chemicals found include gamma-chlordane, a pesticide that has been banned in the U.S. since the 1980s, and 3,4-dichlorophenyl isocyanate, a "chemical intermediate," which is reportedly used exclusively for chemical manufacturing processes. Gordon wondered if he came into contact with these chemicals from a site visit to a location that formerly housed chemical stockpiles, his local auto repair shop, the nearby highway – or even his fire suit.

Flame retardants have been added to hundreds of millions of everyday foam products like furniture, as well as electronics casings, insulation and textiles. After participating in the project, Arsany reflected: "I didn't realize that if I was sitting on a couch or sofa, or in a chair in class, I could be exposed to all that. I've never had the opportunity to quantify it until this project. I thought that was really cool."

Star has committed her career to reducing toxic chemical exposure, yet her wristband detected several pesticides and an alphabet soup of phthalate plasticizers: DEHP, BBP, DEP, DIBP, DBP, DHEXP and di-n-nonyl phthalate. After wearing the wristband, she reflected, "I was shocked by the plasticizers. In terms of behavioral modifications and awareness, I'm generally well-informed – what does the average person have?"

Among the chemicals detected by Christina's wristband were three pesticides, including the bug repellent DEET and piperonyl butoxide – found in household pesticides, agricultural pesticides and veterinary products. Christina expressed concern about chemicals' effects on the environment and our health, noting "the more information we have, the more we can do about this problem."

Among the chemicals detected by Misha's wristband were benzophenone – a sunscreen chemical that is highly toxic to coral – and the common insect repellent pesticide DEET. His wristband also detected six phthalate plasticizers. "I use Nalgene water containers for hiking... they took all the BPA out. So they are BPA-free, but they don't mention all these other things," Misha reflected, noting how difficult it is to know what chemicals are in the products we buy.

Most recently Karen wore the chemical-detecting wristband as a teaching tool for her students. Karen's wristband detected the flame retardant BDE 47, which was phased out of U.S. production in the mid-2000s due to health impacts and persistence in the environment. Her wristband was also the only one in the project to detect combustion byproducts called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS). Karen hopes that personal exposure monitors like the wristband will become more available to the general public in the future, noting that her students would love to wear the wristbands themselves: "The students are very curious. They love this project."

Josh's wristband detected two flame retardant chemicals, triphenyl phosphate and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, commonly added to foam-based products. His wristband also detected six phthalate chemicals, three pesticides and the synthetic fragrance galaxolide. Josh speculated on the sources of these chemicals, considering air fresheners in his home and that "new car" smell.

Averi's wristband detected several chemicals that can be found in personal care products – such as lotions, shampoos and conditioners – including the fragrance enhancer diethyl phthalate, the preservative benzyl benzoate and the synthetic fragrance galaxolide. "It struck me that I may be interacting with the most toxic chemicals when I am showering… in the place where I am trying to get clean."

Her wristband picked up several phthalates including DEHP and DBP, which have been banned in the U.S. for use in children's products like toys and pacifiers. Kim was surprised to see the synthetic fragrance ingredient galaxolide among her results, in particular: "With the baby, everything we use is fragrance-free. I've done what I can to avoid them, but just walking around in an enclosed space, I'm exposed to it. And there's nothing I can do."

She takes great care to avoid chemicals in her job and everyday life, because she suffers from a condition called multiple chemicals sensitivity (MSC). Even so, some chemicals like phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment and virtually impossible to avoid. "People that are chemically sensitive try everything – drugs and all sorts of things – but some of the best ways that help people get better are avoidance and simplicity."