Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products for decades. These chemicals are known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil, making them useful in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam. However, PFAS have also been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues.
PFAS contamination has become a growing concern in recent years, with many communities discovering that their water supplies have been contaminated with these chemicals. While testing for PFAS contamination typically involves analyzing water samples, a new study suggests that wild boar liver could be used as a biomonitoring tool to map PFAS contamination.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter and published in the journal Environmental Pollution, found that wild boar liver was a reliable indicator of PFAS contamination in the environment. The researchers analyzed liver samples from 61 wild boars from across the UK and found that all of the samples contained PFAS.
The study also found that the levels of PFAS in the wild boar liver varied depending on the location of the boars. Boars from areas with higher levels of PFAS contamination, such as near airports or military bases, had higher levels of PFAS in their livers.
This suggests that wild boar liver could be used as a biomonitoring tool to map PFAS contamination in the environment. By analyzing the livers of wild boars from different locations, researchers could get a better understanding of where PFAS contamination is most prevalent and how it is spreading.
While using wild boar liver as a biomonitoring tool may seem unusual, it is not without precedent. In fact, liver samples from other animals, such as fish and birds, have been used to monitor environmental contaminants for decades.
The use of wild boar liver as a biomonitoring tool could be particularly useful in areas where water testing is not feasible or where there are concerns about the accuracy of water testing. For example, in areas where PFAS contamination is suspected but water testing has not detected any contamination, wild boar liver analysis could provide a more accurate picture of the situation.
Overall, the study suggests that wild boar liver could be a valuable tool in the fight against PFAS contamination. By using this biomonitoring technique, researchers could gain a better understanding of the extent and distribution of PFAS contamination in the environment, which could help inform efforts to mitigate its impact on human health and the environment.
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