Polar bear fur could hold the secret to replacing ‘forever chemicals’

9 comments

1. White fur, blubbery skin, sharp claws. Polar bears seem perfectly adapted to their frigid habitat up north.

   Now, researchers have discovered the bears have another unexpected Arctic adaptation: greasy fur. It’s a trait that, surprisingly, might help us find alternatives to “forever chemicals,” a class of widely used compounds that are linked to a range of health problems in people.

   An oily substance secreted by glands in polar bears’ skin helps keep their fur from freezing in subzero temperatures, according to [a study published Wednesday](http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads7321).

   The anti-icing ability of their naturally greasy pelts rivals that of some of the most advanced human-made fibers coated with those chemicals, which are used to repel oil, heat, water and ice.

   By re-creating the bears’ ability to resist icing, researchers hope to develop healthier alternatives to these toxic chemicals.

   Read more here: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/01/29/polar-bear-fur-pfas/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/01/29/polar-bear-fur-pfas/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)

2. Oops! Shouldn’t have let them all almost die off!

3. Good thing nothing is endangering them!

4. They are already endangered don’t make it any worse. FFS.

5. oh well, should have thought of that sooner, the world is already massively polluted with forever chemicals. probably still will make forever chemicals because its “cheaper”! i have no faith in humanity anymore

6. If they don’t go extinct first.

7. No need. The current administration will say those chemicals wont hurt you and deregulate so they can dump more into our rivers.

8. Slay them all? What is this? Jesus Christ.

9. Furever chemicals

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