health
Sharp drop in ‘forever chemicals’ in seabird eggs hailed as win for regulation
Levels of Pfas in northern gannet eggs in Canada fell up to 74% over 55-year period of study
TL;DR
- Levels of dangerous Pfas compounds have dramatically fallen in Canadian seabird eggs.
- A 55-year study of northern gannet eggs in the St Lawrence Seaway basin showed a significant decrease in Pfos and Pfoa.
- The decline in Pfas levels correlates with regulatory actions and the phase-out of these chemicals by manufacturers like 3M.
- Pfos levels dropped by 74%, Pfoa by about 40%, and PFHxS by about 72% in seabird eggs.
- Despite the good news, newer generations of Pfas are emerging, and long-term environmental contamination persists.
- Maintaining scientific and regulatory vigilance is emphasized due to the persistent nature of these chemicals.