PITTSBURGH -- Toxic chemicals are everywhere: in the air, the water, even in your body.

Now some states are considering testing residents for toxins.

It’s called bio-monitoring and it's pitting the chemical industry against health activists.

Jessica Welborn, 27, tries to stay healthy. She eats organic food and uses natural products, but recent blood tests revealed a chemical soup in her body.

Welborn said, “I knew I’d have chemicals in my body and I knew I would have chemicals I hadn't even heard of before, and would have no idea what they do.”

She was right. Tests showed her blood contains dozens of chemical compounds and heavy metals.

She had high levels of Bisphenol-A, a common plastics hardener that is linked to endocrine and brain problems in lab animals.

Tests results on 2-year-old Rowan Holland were also worrisome.

She has high levels of PBDE’s, a flame retardant, in her blood.

"They said, 'You know we don't know what high levels of PBDE's would do to a child,'" said her mom Michele Hammond.

Pittsburgh has a long history of coal production and manufacturing, and experts believe blood tests on Pittsburghers would reveal similar results.

Right now California is considering a bill that would make it the first state to bio-monitor a sample of its residents for toxic chemicals.

The plan is modeled on a federal CDC program now used nationwide.

The CDC has performed a battery of tests on volunteers.

And over the years those tests show rising contamination in Americans.

The chemical industry maintains the vast majority of toxic exposure is to natural chemicals.

It worries about a rush to judgment before all scientific evidence is in.

Tim Shestek from the American Chemical Industry said, “You won't be able to fully grasp it and understand it and it could be increasing fears of communities and individuals as well.”

Welborn said she isn't fearful. She said knowing about her chemical contamination has made her a more thoughtful consumer. “I don't think you can get more personal than finding out what's in your body,” said Welborn.

Currently, there is no talk of bio-monitoring in Pennsylvania.