What are 'forever chemicals' found in penguins?

Forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are persistent pollutants detected in 90% of Magellanic penguins studied along Argentina's coast.

How did scientists study PFAS in penguins?

Researchers used silicone leg straps as passive samplers on penguins to absorb chemicals from their environment, effectively turning the birds into 'toxicologists'.

Are newer PFAS chemicals safer?

Scientists are concerned that newer PFAS chemicals, despite being designed as safer alternatives, are still persistent enough to spread globally and pose risks to wildlife.

Home / Science / Tiny Penguins: Big Clues to Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'

Tiny Penguins: Big Clues to Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'

9 Apr

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Summary

PFAS detected in 90% of Magellanic penguins studied.
New study used penguins as 'toxicologists' with leg sensors.
Even newer 'safer' PFAS chemicals are found globally.

Tiny Penguins: Big Clues to Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'

Scientists have developed an innovative method to monitor 'forever chemicals' in wildlife, finding widespread PFAS contamination even in remote penguin populations. A study focused on Magellanic penguins along Argentina's Patagonian coast revealed that 90% of the birds carried traces of these persistent pollutants.

This research, published in Earth: Environmental Sustainability, utilized passive samplers attached to penguin legs. These devices absorbed chemicals from the environment, providing crucial data without invasive sampling. The analysis detected both older PFAS compounds and newer replacements.