PerfluoroAlkyl Substances (PFASs) in high levels are found on Polar bear brains. This kind of environmental toxins are known to cause cancers and affect reproduction, according to a new study conducted at the Carleton University in Canada and Aarhus University in Denmark.
The researchers found that several PFASs including least eight brain regions of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and compounds of the perfluorinated carboxylate (PFCAs) are present in at least eight brain regions of polar bears.
PFAs are widely used to manufacture textiles, food packages, foams, and other water and oil-based coatings. It is not a biodegradable ingredient so it could remain deposited in the environment for up to 60 years.
Research also has shown an even more significant level of the chemicals on the livers of polar bears when compared with their primary food, the ringed seals.
Polar bears on Scoresby Sound, East Greenland were the subject of the present study. It was believed earlier that the chemicals’ main storage area is the liver. Though, the current study shows that these toxins can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Dr. Robert Letcher of Carleton University said, "We know that fat soluble contaminants are able to cross the brain-blood barrier, but it is quite worrying that the PFOS and PFCAs, which are more associated with proteins in the body, were present in all the brain regions we analyzed."
"If PFOS and PFCAs can cross the blood-brain barrier in polar bears, it will also be the case in humans. The brain is one of the most essential parts of the body, where anthropogenic chemicals can have a severe impact. However, we are beginning to see the effect of the efforts to minimize the dispersal of this group of contaminants," Professor Rune Dietz from Aarhus University said in a news release.
The chemicals don't just have an effect on animals, but is also dangerous for humans. Related studies have shown that hazardous levels of PFAS are found in food items in Sweden and tap water in Germany.
Developed countries including the U.S. have seized using eight carbon chain PFOS and perfluorooctane carboxylate (PFOA) are PFASs. But countries like China increased their usage of these chemicals in manufacturing industries.
In Europe and the U.S., reduction in the use of these chemicals in manufacturing showed good results.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
