‘Canary in a coal mine’: Scientists test alligators for PFAS chemical compounds

By Kristen Johnson | The Fayetteville Observer | May 6, 2021

Read the full article by Kristen Johnson (The Fayetteville Observer)

“In new studies on wildlife, researchers have found evidence that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, could harm an animal’s immune system.

Alligators in the lower Cape Fear River had changes in their immune system that could indicate the development of autoimmune-like diseases in response to exposure to high-levels of the contaminants, according to information presented at a forum Tuesday related to the PFAS compound.

The PFAS family of chemicals has been used in products for decades. The compounds have been used to make cookware, food packaging, stain repellents and other products.

The PFAS group of chemicals includes GenX, which is manufactured by the Chemours company at its Bladen County plant. GenX has been connected to cancer and other diseases in animal studies, but it isn’t known if the effect is the same on humans.

At the event hosted by the NC Policy Collaborative and the NC PFAS Testing Network, researchers presented new information about PFAS chemicals in animals and soil…”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.