Polar bears in the Arctic and plankton in the Pacific Ocean. Cardinals in the US and crocodiles in South Africa.
Although concern about PFAS compounds, also known as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly, has largely focused on humans, these contaminants have also been detected in wildlife. Now, an analysis of research released last month by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy group, shows that PFAS appear in hundreds of species of wild animals around the world.
In people, some of these chemicals are linked to cancers, developmental problems, reduced immune function, hormonal interference, and high cholesterol. Last year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that there was virtually no safe level in humans for two of the most widely used PFAS chemicals and proposed designating them as hazardous.
To get a sense of pollution in wildlife, researchers at the Environmental Working Group analyzed more than 100 studies and created a map from their survey.
One study found that PFAS concentrations in endangered sea turtles were correlated with reduced hatching ability. Others have found levels in dolphins that compare to those in occupationally exposed workers.
Most Americans have PFAS in their blood, according to the US Government. The chemicals are found in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant fabrics. They are being phased out of food packaging. Formally called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the chemicals are created by fusing fluorine and carbon atoms to make a compound that does not exist naturally. Because many break down very slowly, they tend to accumulate at the top of the food chain.
Manufacturers assure that not all PFAS compounds are the same. The EPA notes that research continues to understand the potential harm of all types of compounds.
“PFAS are everywhere and in most animals studied,” said Rainer Lohmann, a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island who was not involved in the Environmental Working Group analysis. “But collecting and organizing that information is a huge effort. And I’m not sure the general public is fully aware of the extent to which these chemicals have penetrated the environment.”
By: CATRIN EINHORN
THE NEW YORK TIMES
BBC-NEWS-SRC: http://www.nytsyn.com/subscribed/stories/6611824, IMPORTING DATE: 2023-03-14 22:10:07
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