Bald eagles, songbirds in Wisconsin found to have 'forever chemicals'

By Laura Schulte | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | February 22, 2023

Read the full article by Laura Schulte (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

"A new analysis has found "forever chemicals" in the bodies of more than 300 species of animals, including polar bears, tigers, monkeys, and songbirds and bald eagles in Wisconsin.

The analysis, conducted by the Environmental Working Group, looked at hundreds of studies that found PFAS in species globally, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large and small mammals. EWG put together a map showing where the animals were tested, and which chemicals were found during the testing.

According to the map, tree swallows sampled in 2016 and 2017 near Eagle River tested positive for elevated levels of PFOS and several bald eagles near the Bayfield area tested positive between 2006 and 2015 for a number of PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS. Several other eagles along the Wisconsin border with Minnesota were also tested and found to have elevated levels of compounds, as well, the map shows."

Location:

• North America
• North AmericaUS
• North AmericaUSWisconsin

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data