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Pollutants Could Pose Health
Risks for Five Sea Turtle Species
Researchers
at the Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) and four partner organizations have measured
for the first time concentrations of 13 perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in five
different endangered species of sea turtles. While PFC toxicology studies have
not yet been conducted on turtles, the levels of the compounds seen in all five
species approach the amounts known to cause adverse health effects in other
animals.
PFCs are
man-made compounds that have many uses including stain-resistant coatings,
fire-fighting foams and emulsifiers in plastics manufacturing. They have become
widespread pollutants, are detectable in human and wildlife samples worldwide,
infiltrate food chains, and have been shown in laboratory animals—rats, mice
and fish—to be toxic to the liver, the thyroid, neurobehavioral function and
the immune system. The PFCs most commonly found in the environment are
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
Located in
Charleston, S.C., the HML is a collaboration of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the
College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina.
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