“Forever Chemicals” Pose Grave Threat to Arctic Ecosystems, Indigenous Communities
A new multinational study published in Science of The Total Environment reveals alarming levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination across the Arctic, Earth.com reported.
These persistent industrial chemicals, known as “forever chemicals,” are accumulating in polar bears, seals, and seabirds at concentrations that exceed safety thresholds, disrupting hormone systems and immune functions.
The research highlights a dual crisis: while wildlife faces reproductive and developmental challenges, Indigenous communities relying on traditional marine mammal diets are experiencing disproportionately high PFAS exposure. Scientists found Arctic human populations consuming these foods have PFAS levels surpassing immunotoxic limits, with associated cancer risks.
Led by researchers from seven nations, the study traces how PFAS travel thousands of miles through atmospheric and oceanic currents to concentrate in Arctic ice and snow. Professor Elsie Sunderland of Harvard University emphasized that this contamination demonstrates how environmental pollution disregards borders, with industrial emissions from distant regions ultimately endangering remote ecosystems.
The findings underscore an urgent need for global policy reforms to phase out PFAS production and develop safer alternatives, particularly as newer chemical variants continue emerging. The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, which supported the research, is now presenting evidence to governments worldwide to spur regulatory action.
