Cancer-causing firefighting chemicals have been found in endangered Australian sea lion and fur seal pups, sparking fears the contaminants could decimate populations further.
The new research, which is part of a long-term health study of the species in Australia, identified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in animals at multiple colonies in Victoria and South Australia.
PFAS chemicals – wholly or partially banned for firefighting in NSW, South Australia and Queensland – have been linked to a slew of health conditions including cancer, reproductive defects and immune deficiencies. Read more…
