North Atlantic pilot whales have been found to have 60% lower concentrations of PFAS (per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their bodies following a phasing-out of some of the most commonly used chemicals.
PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals, were first produced at the end of World War II and can now be found in everything from furniture and cosmetics to food packaging, non-stick pans and clothing. But due to their widespread use, they can now be found in our water supplies, soil and food, making them a major concern for human and ecological health.
Beginning in the early 2000s, some of the most common and well-studied PFAS were phased out through a combination of industry shifts and international regulations.
Now, a new Harvard University study has found that since that phase-out, North Atlantic pilot whales have 60% lower concentrations of these chemicals in their bodies. However, while older, legacy PFAS are well understood and easy to detect, newer generations of chemicals...