Otters in England Contaminated With Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' of Pollutants in the River

Researchers from Cardiff University's Otter Project found that a group of synthetic substances called "forever chemicals" are detected in Eurasian otters in England and Wales.

Analysis of historical data showed that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which pose significant health risks to humans and animals, are in large concentration in otters in that area which signal high levels of pollution in the environment. That means widespread pollution of chemical pollutants in the British freshwaters today.

PFAS are Forever Chemicals Because They Do Not Break Down

Hundreds of everyday products are made of PFAS that end up in the environment or human bodies that never break down. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) said that even very small doses of PFAS are linked to cancer, problems in the reproductive and immune system, and other diseases.

PFAS are commonly used in manufacturing an array of consumer products that decades of heavy use have led to the contamination of water, soil, and blood of humans and animals. But it is now phased out in the US due to the Environmental Protection Agency pressuring the manufacturers not to use PFAS anymore.

Otters Signal Widespread Environmental Pollution

Researchers from Cardiff University examined 50 otters found dead from 2007 to 2009, ZME Science reported. They found that all of them were contaminated with PFAS, and 80% showed measurable levels of 12 or more PFAS in their livers. Also, a study from Otter Project showed that otters that died between 2014 to 2019 all contained two types of forever chemicals.

Ph.D. student Emily O'Rourke told BBC News that otters are "sentinel" species, which means they can signal widespread environmental pollution in British freshwaters. Studying these apex predators in British waterways is vital to understanding the substances affecting England's rivers' wildlife.

The study's authors said that their findings are validated and supported by the Otter Project, and a report from the Environmental Audit Committee showed that there was indeed a cocktail of chemical pollutants in its rivers.

On the other hand, researchers said that it is unknown whether the levels of chemicals found in the otters are high enough to cause harm to them since most of the specimens died in road collisions. But O'Rourke said that the toxic forever chemicals have a sub-lethal effect on them, and the results of the study point to "significant and concerning" contamination of the rivers.

Banning PFAS in Europe

The US has already banned PFAS in manufacturing products to avoid its adverse environmental effects. O'Rourke said that there are more than 5,000 different types of chemicals in use today and so far are regulated individually. But she believes these chemicals should be regulated by class.

For instance, Denmark has already banned food-contact paper in fast-food packaging. She said that Britain should catch up and have its strategy in dealing with those chemicals. Different non-government organizations have already called for phasing out all "very persistent chemicals," including PFAS.

Researchers have published the findings of their study, titled "Anthropogenic Drivers of Variation in Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Otters (Lutra lutra) from England and Wales," in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Check out more news and information on Pollution in Science Times.