Australian turtles exposed to PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” show alarming health effects, raising urgent questions about the ecological toll of these pollutants.
Danielle Beurteaux reports for Science News.
In short:
- Freshwater turtles in Australia exposed to PFAS showed signs of cancer, deformities and shortened lifespans, according to researchers.
- The chemicals bioaccumulate, with adult turtles passing PFAS to their hatchlings, causing deformities and health issues even in offspring from cleaner sites.
- The study points to the broader risks of PFAS to wildlife, which may be even more vulnerable than humans due to constant environmental exposure.
Key quote:
“If the [study] authors are right, and the lack of juveniles that they see out in the environment is caused by PFAS, we don’t want to wait until we’re missing one whole full generation of animals.”
— Jean-Luc Cartron, biologist at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque
Why this matters:
PFAS contamination isn’t just a human problem, and turtles serve as early warning systems. Scientists warn that turtles might just be the tip of the iceberg, with PFAS posing threats to entire ecosystems.
