Toxic “forever chemicals” found in bodies of endangered sea otters along british columbia coast

A troubling new study reveals that sea otters along British Columbia’s coastline are carrying dangerous levels of PFAS—persistent synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals”—in their bodies, with animals living near human population centers and shipping routes showing the highest contamination levels.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia analyzed tissue samples from 11 recently deceased sea otters and found PFAS contamination in every single animal’s liver. Published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, this research highlights how these toxic substances are infiltrating marine ecosystems and threatening wildlife recovery efforts. PFAS chemicals, originally developed by companies like 3M and DuPont in the mid-20th century, are used to make products resistant to stains, water, and heat. The problem? They can persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years, earning them the “forever chemical” nickname.

For humans, PFAS exposure has been linked to cancer, liver damage, reduced immunity, fertility problems, and other serious health issues. Now, scientists are discovering that wildlife face similar risks from these ubiquitous pollutants, which have contaminated everything from drinking water to agricultural soils and marine environments worldwide.

This contamination poses a significant threat to sea otter recovery efforts. Already classified as endangered by the IUCN, sea otter populations across the North Pacific are declining due to multiple pressures including habitat loss, ocean warming, and pollution. The species had previously recovered from near-extinction, making this new chemical threat particularly concerning for conservationists working to protect these charismatic marine mammals and the coastal ecosystems they help maintain.