The growing danger of PFAS in our oceans and seas: Threats to marine life and human health
Oceans, often thought of as vast and untouchable, are not immune to pollution. A recent study by the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) shed light on the growing dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the marine environment. This research raises serious concerns about how fish, even in remote areas, accumulate toxic levels of PFAS, which can have long-term effects on both marine life and human health.
What are PFAS and why should we be concerned?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely used for their water- and grease-resistant properties in products such as non-stick cookware, fire-fighting foam and food packaging. PFASs, called “forever chemicals,” are resistant to degradation and persist in the environment for decades.
Their accumulation in water bodies, including the oceans, is increasingly being linked to serious risks to human health, including cancer, damage to the immune system and hormone disruption. Marine life, especially fish, absorb these harmful substances, leading to bioaccumulation—a build-up of chemicals that move up the food chain. The Harvard study highlights that fish can carry high levels of PFAS even when they are far from known sources of contamination.
How do PFAS reach the oceans?
Military bases, industrial facilities, and airports are major sources of PFAS contamination. The use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, for example, has led to widespread contamination of groundwater, rivers and lakes. Through the water cycle, these pollutants eventually end up in the seas and oceans, where they settle in sediments or are absorbed by marine organisms.
Even in seemingly pristine waters, PFAS concentrations are increasing. When fish and other marine species migrate, they spread these chemicals into areas previously thought to be safe. This poses a growing challenge to global seafood supplies and the wider ecosystem.
The need for monitoring and action
Given the alarming data on the accumulation of PFAS in fish, environmental scientists call for increased monitoring of water bodies. While most current monitoring focuses on areas near known sources of PFAS, such as military installations or industrial facilities, more extensive tests are needed in remote marine areas to assess the full extent of contamination.
Countries around the world are beginning to recognize the threat posed by PFAS, but stricter regulations and preventative measures are needed to curb the release of these harmful substances into our environment. The health of the oceans and, accordingly, human health depends on it.
Source:
National Institute of Environmental Health on PFAS: NIH PFAS Information
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