PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Contaminate Sea Otters in British Columbia, Threatening Recovery
A study found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic persistent chemicals, in the livers of sea otters along British Columbia's coast, with concentrations higher near urban areas and shipping lanes. These contaminants weaken immunity and pose health risks to the endangered otters, potentially undermining their fragile recovery despite relatively low PFAS levels compared to other marine species.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia analyzed liver and muscle samples from 11 dead sea otters along the BC coast, detecting eight different PFAS chemicals in every otter’s liver. PFAS concentrations were significantly higher near densely populated urban centers and busy shipping routes compared to more pristine northern areas, indicating proximity to pollution sources such as runoff and wastewater. While levels were lower than those found in local killer whales and historical Californian sea otters, these 'forever chemicals' pose risks including immune system weakening and impaired health, which endangers the otters' recovery from past population declines caused by fur trade hunting. PFAS are long-lasting synthetic chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, entering marine environments primarily through wastewater, and bioaccumulate especially in long-lived marine mammals at the top of the food chain like sea otters. This study establishes baseline PFAS contamination data for BC sea otters, aiding future monitoring and regulation efforts. The Canadian government is moving toward stricter controls on PFAS, which have been linked to cancer, liver damage, and reproductive impairments in wildlife and humans alike. The findings underscore the need for ongoing research, improved chemical regulations, and conservation efforts to safeguard these endangered marine mammals and their habitats.
