‘Forever chemicals’ could be aging dolphins beyond their years

Read the full article by Libby Riddle (Science News)

“Exposure to trace metals and ‘forever chemicals’ may be prematurely aging dolphins, raising concerns about both marine pollution and human health impacts. 

Metals such as zinc and copper can wind up in the ocean from industrial waste and mining. So can per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are often called forever chemicals because of how long they persist in the environment.  

Scientists have previously documented harmful effects of metals and PFAS in wildlife, including dolphins. A 2013 study found that bottlenosed dolphins with high exposure to PFAS showed signs that the compounds disrupted their livers, kidneys and immune systems. And earlier this year, researchers showed that dolphin mothers can transfer PFAS compounds to their offspring through milk, contributing to exposure early in life.

Now, it seems common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) exposed to these toxic substances are aging faster than they should be, researchers report June 26 in a paper posted to bioRxiv.org. The work has not yet been peer-reviewed.”…