BURST
Researchers at the University of B.C. have discovered toxic PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in sea otters in B.C. waters.
The peer-reviewed study , published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, follows other UBC research that found that high levels of PFAS — per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are harming orcas.
These human-made chemicals, used in manufacturing every day items such as soap, non-stick cookware and waterproof clothes, have also been linked to serious health issues such as cancer in humans.
Lead author Dana Price, a master’s degree student at UBC’s institute for oceans and fisheries, says this study raises concerns about how widespread these chemicals are in the marine environment. Because it is a first of its kind study in B.C., she said it also provides a baseline so they can compare levels found in otters now with future levels.
PFAS have been found in a lot of marine mammals around the world so the finding was expected but Price said the study adds to a disturbing body of research that shows how prevalent the chemicals are in the marine environment.
For the study, the researchers analyzed liver and skeletal muscle samples from 11 dead sea otters collected between 2016 and 2021 and found eight toxic PFAS chemicals present in every otter.
Concentrations were three times higher on average in otters found near major cities and shipping routes around coastal B.C., such as Victoria and Tofino, according to the study.
Price said that’s because they are closer to industrial plants, landfills and communities with larger populations.
The levels found in otters are not as alarming as those found in orcas but they are concerning, said Price, because PFAS can lower the otters’ immune systems, making it more difficult to fight off disease.
Sea otters are also very important to the ecosystem, she added, because they eat a lot of food, including the sea urchins that can devastate kelp forests, which are important carbon sinks vital in the fight against rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
A separate UBC study earlier this year on sea star wasting disease found that kelp forests were being destroyed by urchins as sea stars died out, making it even more important for a healthy population of otters to eat the urchins.
Sea otters in B.C. are still recovering from being wiped out during the fur trade, said Price.
“Sea otters from Alaska were brought into B.C., and we’ve seen that population grow in numbers,” she said. “So the endangered, threatened situation went from none here because they were hunted out of the area entirely, to of special concern.”
PFAS have been dubbed forever chemicals by scientists because of how long it takes them to break down in the environment. Earlier this year, the Canadian government said it plans to label PFAS as toxic and regulate their use in consumer products.
The federal government report in March concluded the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, “is harmful to human health and the environment.”
“Exposure to PFAS can adversely affect several organs and systems including the liver, kidneys, thyroid, immune system, nervous system, metabolism and body weight, and reproduction and development,” the report said.
“In the environment, PFAS are harmful to wildlife and can build up in living organisms. These substances do not break down easily and remain in the environment for long periods of time.”
It will take time, however, before the chemicals are removed from consumption. The government is implementing a phased in approach, which includes requiring manufacturing and other facilities to report the use of PFAS to the national pollutant release inventory.
Phase 1, which began this year, will address PFAS in firefighting foams and Phase 2 will focus on limiting exposure to PFAS in products that are not needed for health and safety such as cosmetics, food packaging materials, and textiles.
Price plans to continue working on sea otters and will next look whether they are being affected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chemicals that come from oil processing and forest fires.