Almost half of marine mammals around the UK are being poisoned by banned chemicals.
The compounds, once used in pesticides, flame retardants and coolants, are having significant impacts on the health and reproduction of the animals.
The UK’s whales and dolphins are full of toxins – and it might only get worse.
Despite many being banned almost 20 years ago, levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) remain high in the oceans. In fact, these chemicals may breach safe limits in as many as half of all marine mammals living around the UK, based on a new study of stranded animals.
While the researchers found that levels of six key POPs are declining, they’re concerned that the chemicals currently contained in coastal landfill sites could increasingly leak out as flooding, extreme weather and coastal erosion are enhanced by climate change.
Dr Rosie Williams, the lead author of the study at the Zoological Society of London, says, ‘This is a huge wake-up call. It’s been over 20 years since several of these chemicals were banned globally, yet we still see concerningly high concentrations in wildlife.’
‘We need to act now, learn from our past mistakes and employ stronger, science-backed measures to curb pollution. Ambitious and urgent action is required and by beginning today we can start mitigating the profound impact that chemical pollution continues to have on marine life.’
The findings of the research were published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Ohh great, guess I’ll go back to having haddock at the chippy 🙁
They’re putting chemicals in the water to turn the frickin frogs gay
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Almost half of marine mammals around the UK are being poisoned by banned chemicals.
The compounds, once used in pesticides, flame retardants and coolants, are having significant impacts on the health and reproduction of the animals.
The UK’s whales and dolphins are full of toxins – and it might only get worse.
Despite many being banned almost 20 years ago, levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) remain high in the oceans. In fact, these chemicals may breach safe limits in as many as half of all marine mammals living around the UK, based on a new study of stranded animals.
While the researchers found that levels of six key POPs are declining, they’re concerned that the chemicals currently contained in coastal landfill sites could increasingly leak out as flooding, extreme weather and coastal erosion are enhanced by climate change.
Dr Rosie Williams, the lead author of the study at the Zoological Society of London, says, ‘This is a huge wake-up call. It’s been over 20 years since several of these chemicals were banned globally, yet we still see concerningly high concentrations in wildlife.’
‘We need to act now, learn from our past mistakes and employ stronger, science-backed measures to curb pollution. Ambitious and urgent action is required and by beginning today we can start mitigating the profound impact that chemical pollution continues to have on marine life.’
The findings of the research were published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Ohh great, guess I’ll go back to having haddock at the chippy 🙁
They’re putting chemicals in the water to turn the frickin frogs gay