Baby bald eagles nesting near the Great Lakes are testing positive for PFAS and other long-banned pollutants, raising alarms about the persistence of toxic chemicals in the ecosystem.
Lisa John Rogers reports for Great Lakes Now.
In short:
- Researchers analyzing blood from bald eagle chicks found much higher levels of contamination in those living near the Great Lakes than in inland populations.
- PFAS, PCBs, and DDT — despite bans decades ago — remain in the environment, affecting wildlife and potentially human health through the food chain.
- Several states, including Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, are addressing PFAS through pending legislation, cleanup funding, and alternative firefighting technologies, but gaps in regulation and budgeting remain.
Key quote:
“Samples of blood taken from bald eagle chicks before they learn to fly show that legacy pollution, even contaminants banned decades ago, continue to harm Michigan’s natural environment.”
— Sheri McWhirter, reporter at MLive
Why this matters:
The presence of PFAS chemicals in apex predators like bald eagles shows these substances continue cycling through ecosystems long after their use has ended. PFAS are linked to various health issues, including immune dysfunction and reproductive problems, and their persistence in water, soil, and organisms suggests widespread exposure. That exposure isn’t limited to wildlife — humans living in contaminated regions, particularly near military bases or industrial sites, may be at risk through drinking water or local food sources. The continued detection of banned chemicals in wildlife shows that regulatory bans, while critical, are only the beginning of a much longer cleanup effort.
Read more: Long-banned toxics are still accumulating in Great Lakes birds—as new chemical threats emerge
