Recent research has shown concerning amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” in the Arctic. These contaminants have a serious risk to our natural environment and wildlife. This pollution has devastating impacts on wildlife and Indigenous peoples whose traditional diets rely on these animals. Lead researchers Rainer Lohmann of the University of Rhode Island and Pal Weihe of the University of the Faroe Islands are sounding the alarm. Through riveting stories and spectacular photography, their international team calls for immediate action to address this global environmental catastrophe.
Of particular concern, the study shows that PFAS are building up in Arctic mammals and birds, such as polar bears, seals, and seabirds. These chemicals are highly persistent, building up in the environment. These microplastics present significant physiological and health hazards to animals and humans alike. These important findings demonstrate the Arctic’s power as a global mirror. This is illustrative of the global, pervasive, and persistent nature of PFAS contamination.
The Unseen Threat of PFAS
PFAS are a class of thousands of toxic, synthetic chemicals that have been used extensively in industrial applications and consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. Their nickname, “forever chemicals,” comes from these chemicals’ resistance to break down in the environment, causing enduring contamination. The Arctic region is no exception to this trend. Scientists are noting alarming increases of long-chain PFCAs such as PFNA, which are ubiquitous in Arctic tundra ecosystems at this time.
Lohmann and Weihe co-led a study that found shocking impacts of PFAS exposure. They documented reproductive and physiological abnormalities in Arctic seabirds and polar bears. All of these health effects are consistent with those observed in humans exposed to comparable levels of these chemicals. The similarities draw into stark relief some grave issues. They raise the possibility of global endocrine disruption, immune system and other serious health effects.
The accumulation of PFAS in wildlife has major implications for Indigenous communities. These communities depend upon these species for their livelihoods. Many of these communities have reported PFAS levels exceeding established health-based thresholds, primarily due to dietary habits centered around traditional marine mammals whose meat is now tainted with these contaminants.
Food Security and Sovereignty at Risk
As a recent study explains, widespread PFAS contamination is contributing to a major food security crisis for Arctic Indigenous peoples. This pollution additionally erodes their sovereignty over food and agricultural stewardship. For these communities, hunting and fishing are critical to their subsistence and way of life. PFAS contamination in their main food sources puts their health at risk and threatens their cultural subsistence practices and way of life.
Research indicates that marine mammals, a staple in the diets of many Indigenous peoples, have been significantly affected by PFAS pollution. The contamination threatens the safety and preservation of these traditional food sources, forcing people to reconsider their food options. Combined with the lack of access to food alternatives in the region, this deepens pre-existing food security challenges in their community.
Khaled Abass, an associate professor at Sharjah University’s College of Health Sciences and co-author of the study, addressed a critical concern. Policymakers at all levels of government need to make addressing these contamination issues a top priority. The ongoing threat of PFAS pollution necessitates a comprehensive approach that prioritizes both environmental health and the well-being of affected communities.
A Global Call to Action
Researchers from the US, France, Germany and Russia worked together on the study. Their work brought together specialists from the USA, Finland, Denmark, Canada, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the United Arab Emirates. This international cooperation is a testament to the global PFAS problem at hand. It underscores the pressing necessity for all of us to come together and address its effects collectively.
PFAS pollution is accelerating in the Arctic at an alarming rate. We can’t wait to act if we want to protect human health and preserve the integrity of our ecosystem. The research team’s recommendations include passing stricter regulations to limit how PFAS are used and increasing monitoring around contaminated sites. They point to the immediate need to address this environmental disaster and community crisis. It is critical for Arctic communities and for all of us living today afflicted by emerging chemical contaminants.
The Arctic is a bellwether for global environmental crises, and an early warning system for the world. Each day, scientists are revealing the wide breadth of PFAS contamination. One thing is certain—we need to join forces to defend against this persistent menace.