Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A 2021 pilot study detected chemical signals in blood samples from pregnant women and newborns and tentatively identified 55 compounds that the authors said had not previously been reported in the literature. The finding does not mean all 55 were confirmed, newly created, or shown to harm babies: the study screened for chemicals and did not test health effects.
What the researchers did
Wang and colleagues used liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS), a high-resolution analytical method, to screen a database of about 3,500 industrial chemicals. They analyzed 30 matched pairs of maternal serum and umbilical cord serum from San Francisco—60 samples in total—in a proof-of-concept study published in Environmental Science & Technology in March 2021. Read the study.
The team compared detected signals with chemical databases, then used fragmentation patterns to prioritize and tentatively identify suspects. The paper reports 73 tentatively identified suspects. Using analytical standards, the researchers confirmed 17 chemical features corresponding to 15 unique compounds.
What “55 previously unreported” means
The authors wrote that they “tentatively identified 55 compounds not previously reported in the literature.” “Tentatively” matters: these were not all confirmed compound identities. The phrase “not previously reported in the literature” describes the authors’ literature comparison; it does not establish that the chemicals had never been present in people or had never existed.
#1 Best Overall
- Tests For Arsenic, Lead, Mercury And More Toxic Elements, Chemicals & Heavy Metals In The Body
- An Ideal Test For Anyone With Suspected Exposure To Toxic Or Hazardous Elements
- Long Detection Window Of Up To 6 Months With Results In 7 to 10 Business Days
- Pre-Paid Return Shipping - No Additional Fees Required!
Confirmation requires comparing a sample against an analytical standard for the substance. The authors note that standards are also needed to assess toxicity. As UCSF co-lead author Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson put it, identifying more chemicals is only part of the task; standards are needed to confirm their presence and evaluate toxicity. UCSF’s summary of the study also reports 109 chemicals detected overall, including 55 described as not previously reported in people.
Examples and gaps in what is known
Examples among the 55 in the paper include the plasticizer Sumilizer GA 80 and two PFAS compounds: methyl perfluoroundecanoate and 2-perfluorooctyl ethanoic acid. The paper also describes a high-production-volume chemical used in consumer products such as fragrances. These examples do not establish how any individual participant encountered a chemical.
Rank #2
- KNOW YOUR STATUS- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are found in your bloodstream and are unable to break down in your body.
- PFAS SOURCES - PFAS chemicals are present in everyday items such as food, water, soil, and air. They can negatively impact health, potentially leading to illnesses down the road.
- EASY AT-HOME PFAS TEST - Simply collect your blood sample at home. Mail the completed kit to our laboratory with a prepaid shipping label.
- SIMPLE, CLEAR RESULTS - Get secure results in our online portal within 30 days after the lab receives your sample. Each lab report PDF can be downloaded, saved, and printed for personal use or to bring to your next healthcare provider appointment.
- IMPORTANT - We are only able to test samples sent from customers who reside in the USA.
Both the paper and UCSF emphasize that source and use information is limited for many of the compounds. UCSF says 37 of the 55 had little to no information about sources or uses. The paper separately discusses 42 compounds with limited-to-no information before excluding compounds previously reported in human exposure studies; those are differently framed counts, not interchangeable totals.
UCSF’s overview groups detected chemicals by reported use, including 40 used as plasticizers, 28 in cosmetics, 25 in consumer products, 29 as pharmaceuticals, 23 as pesticides, three as flame retardants, and seven PFAS compounds. These categories can overlap, and a reported use does not prove a participant’s exposure came from that use.
Rank #3
- 3-IN-1 POOL TESTING KIT: An easy-to-use, accurate pool test kit for testing three essential water quality parameters in residential pools and spas: Total Chlorine, Total Bromine, and pH. Includes enough reagents for 100 tests, helping keep your water safe, clean, balanced, and ready to use anytime.
- RESULTS IN SECONDS: Easily self-test pool and spa water for three key water quality parameters, with clear, reliable results in just seconds. No need to schedule an appointment with a pool technician or wait for lab results - get immediate feedback to help you make any necessary water care adjustments.
- RELIABLE ACCURACY: Utilizes the same trusted water testing system approved by USA Swimming, ensuring expert-grade results at home. Easily conduct water quality tests with maximum accuracy and precision, helping you monitor water health and make informed adjustments with confidence.
- EASY RESULT INTERPRETATION: Features a user-friendly color coded results system. Simply follow the clear, non-technical four-step instructions, then easily interpret results by matching the water color to the color standards on the comparator - ensuring accuracy, reliability and clarity in results.
- UNIVERSAL USE: Designed for versatility, this pool test kit is perfect for testing water in swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. It works seamlessly with both freshwater and saltwater, allowing you to easily monitor and maintain optimal water quality across all system types and conditions, year-round.
What the study does—and does not—say about babies’ health
The analysis established chemical detections and prioritized possible identities in a small set of matched samples. It did not measure illness, development, or other health outcomes, and it did not determine whether any detected compound caused harm. Finding a chemical in maternal and cord serum is not, by itself, evidence of a health effect or a specific exposure route.
The authors said the number of poorly characterized chemicals in maternal and cord samples warrants further investigation into possible sources and health effects. That is a call for research, not a result showing that these compounds injured the newborns. The study’s 30 pairs from San Francisco also cannot be treated as a representative estimate for all pregnant people or newborns.
Rank #4
- 2 Way Pool Water Test Kit For Test For OTO, CL, and PH Level
- Includes clear view water testing unit with accurate measuring scale and integrated color for easy reading chemical leaves
- Includes one 1/2-ounce bottle chlorine test solution, one 1/2-ounce bottle pH test solution, plastic tester and carrying case
- Easy to use, just fill each test tube with pool water, add 4 drops of the proper solution into each test tube, put the test tube caps on, shake the testing block then check the Chloride, Bromine and pH readings.
- Please use it before expire date which printed on the back of the case.
Why the result matters
The study illustrates both the reach and the limits of modern chemical screening: high-resolution methods can flag substances that targeted testing or existing literature may not cover, but suspect matches need confirmation and toxicity information before their implications can be judged. Tracey J. Woodruff, the UCSF professor quoted in the institutional account, said that some chemicals may have been in people for a long time and are now easier to identify with newer technology.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBecause the study did not identify actionable household sources or evaluate interventions, it does not support buying a particular consumer product as a protective response. Its central contribution is evidence that researchers found many chemical signals worth confirming and characterizing, while important questions about identity, source, and health effects remain open.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 🧪【RAPID 30S RESULTS & HIGH SENSITIVITY】Empower your home safety with our lead test kit for dishes and paint. Engineered for consumer-friendly accuracy, these lead test swabs provide rapid results in just 30 seconds. The upgraded chemical reagent is highly sensitive, capable of detecting lead on many common household surfaces. Simply watch for the color change: Red/Purple/Pink means lead is present, while Mustard Yellow indicates a no lead detected surface.
- 🚫【MUSTARD YELLOW BASELINE & ACCURATE RESULTS】Tired of confusing results? Our lead paint test kit features a clear color-coded system to eliminate guesswork. Unlike generic lead test strips that might give ambiguous readings, our swabs transform into a vibrant Mustard Yellow immediately after being moistened under water for 2-8 seconds, providing a stable baseline. This ensures you can accurately distinguish between a safe item and a hazardous one without "false positive" frustrations.
- 🏠【VERSATILE HOME APPLICATIONS】A comprehensive lead testing kit for every household's needs. From vintage crockery and pottery to children's toys, jewelry, and metal plumbing, our swabs cover all bases. It is the ideal lead tester pen alternative for inspecting antique furniture, bathtub glazes, and woodwork. Whether you are a homeowner or an antique collector, this kit helps users make informed decisions about household surfaces.
- 📦【30 COUNT VALUE PACK & 2-YEAR SHELF LIFE】Each bottle contains 30 Pcs of high-quality lead check swabs, providing a cost-effective solution for whole-house testing. Designed for longevity, these swabs have a 2-year shelf life, allowing you to keep them on hand for future purchases. Please Note: This product is designed for surface testing only and is not intended for detecting lead in water or other liquids.
- ⚠️【SAFE OPERATION & EXPERT COMPLIANCE】Safety is our priority. These lead swabs are easy to use: Moisten, Shake, and Rub. Designed for adult use (Entry-level skill), the kit requires no complex lab equipment. To ensure accuracy and safety, avoid touching the swab head with your bare hands and never put it in your mouth. Proudly sourced with high-quality standards, AssuTest provides a practical tool for household surface screening in your daily life.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
