PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have long been a staple of modern industrial production, finding their way into everyday items such as furniture, cosmetics, food packaging, and non-stick cookware. However, these chemicals have also permeated our environment, raising alarms over their potential impacts on human and ecological health. A recent study from Harvard University reveals a significant reduction in PFAS concentrations in North Atlantic pilot whales, a promising sign of progress in environmental health efforts.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that since the early 2000s, when some of the most prevalent PFAS were phased out due to industry and regulatory actions, there has been a 60% decrease in these chemicals within the bodies of pilot whales. This discovery offers a glimmer of hope in the ongoing struggle to mitigate the impact of these persistent pollutants.
Understanding PFAS and Their Environmental Impact
Initially produced at the end of World War II, PFAS have become nearly ubiquitous in modern life. Their resistance to water, oil, and heat makes them invaluable in many industrial applications. However, these same properties also mean they persist in the environment, accumulating in water, soil, and living organisms.
Jennifer Sun, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow, explained the challenges associated with detecting and measuring newer PFAS compounds. “With legacy PFAS, we know a lot more about their environmental transport and impacts on organisms,” she said. “But we have a lot less information about what is going on with many newer compounds that have been produced to replace the phased-out legacy PFAS.”
Innovative Approaches to Measuring PFAS
To address these challenges, the researchers employed a novel method by measuring bulk organofluorine, which captures the fluorine present in most PFAS compounds. This approach allowed them to estimate total PFAS concentrations, including those of newer, harder-to-detect chemicals.
Collaborating with research partners in the Faroe Islands, the team analyzed whale tissue samples from a long-term archive. As apex predators, pilot whales are excellent indicators of marine pollution, retaining chemical exposures over extended periods. The study found that four legacy PFAS peaked in the mid-2010s and declined by over 60% by 2023.
“Production phase-outs, which were initially voluntary and later driven by regulation, have been quite effective at reducing concentrations of these chemicals in near-source communities as well as more remote ecosystems, which I think is very positive and important to emphasize,” said Sun.
The Future of PFAS Regulation
This reduction in legacy PFAS levels occurs even as global production of new PFAS compounds rises, prompting questions about their environmental fate. Elsie Sunderland, the study’s senior author, highlighted this concern, asking, “Generally, the ocean is thought to be the terminal sink for human pollution on land. But we are not seeing substantial accumulation of the newest PFAS in the open ocean. So, where are they?”
The findings suggest that newer PFAS may behave differently from their predecessors, underscoring the need for stronger regulatory measures. “While our results are good news for ocean contamination, it suggests newer PFAS may behave differently from the legacy ones. It underscores the need to place stronger regulations on ongoing PFAS production to mitigate future impacts,” Sunderland added.
Implications and Next Steps
The study’s implications extend beyond the marine environment, highlighting the importance of continued research and regulation to understand and manage the risks associated with PFAS. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to tackle such a pervasive issue.
As scientists and policymakers grapple with the complexities of PFAS pollution, studies like this provide crucial insights into the effectiveness of regulatory actions and the need for ongoing vigilance in monitoring and managing these persistent chemicals.
The research team, including co-authors Euna Kim, Heidi Pickard, Bjarni Mikkelsen, Katrin Hoydal, Halla Reinert, and Colin Thackray, continues to explore the environmental pathways and impacts of PFAS, aiming to inform future policy and safeguard both human and environmental health.
