Polar Bears Aren’t Safe from PFAS Contamination

As they are man made chemicals, one might be quick to assume that PFAS contamination is limited to populated areas, where wildlife constantly interacts with human influence. Unfortunately, that’s far from the case as it’s been found that PFAS have effected life in the Arctic Ocean. These “forever chemicals” often travel through water, meaning they are part of the water cycle. Contaminated water leaks into the ocean affecting plants and fish. Those fish are eaten by seals, and the seals are eaten by polars bears. 

An article from the Chemical Watch website outlines a study done on polar bears in the Barents Sea, stating that “Polar bears that hunt furthest north in the Barents Sea area – part of the Arctic Ocean – have 30-35% higher concentration of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in their blood compared with coastal bears… One reason for higher levels of PFASs among the eastwards long-walking polar bears, the researchers said, could be that the longer they walk the more energy they need. This makes them eat more seals, which have high concentration of toxins”.

Read the full Chemical Watch article here. 

The study is simply proof that there is no escaping these “forever chemicals” and of just how important it is to properly eliminate them.