New research shows PFAS, or forever chemicals, double at each food chain level, exposing top predators and humans to dangerous contamination, prompting urgent calls for stricter global regulation and monitoring worldwide.
Toxic “forever chemicals,” scientifically known as PFAS, are steadily building up at every level of the food chain, raising serious concerns for both wildlife and humans, according to a new study from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Published in Nature Communications, the research highlights how PFAS, used in everyday products and industrial processes, magnify in concentration as they move up the food chain, a process known as biomagnification.
“PFAS concentrations roughly double at each higher step of the food chain,” said lead researcher Lorenzo Ricolfi. “Even in areas with low environmental contamination, top predators, whether marine mammals, seabirds or large fish, are exposed to dangerously high levels of these chemicals.”
PFAS, often found in cookware, food packaging, textiles and industrial products, are highly persistent and do not easily break down. Industrial waste and sewage systems release these chemicals into rivers, lakes and oceans, where they are absorbed by algae and plankton. Small fish consume the contaminated plankton and larger fish feed on them, causing PFAS to accumulate at higher concentrations in their bodies.
The study analyzed 64 independent studies worldwide, covering 119 food chains and 72 PFAS compounds. The results were consistent across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Even in regions with minimal soil or water contamination, top predators showed high chemical concentrations.
Humans who consume seafood and other animal products are also at risk. “Because PFAS persist in the body, their levels can increase over time,” Ricolfi warned. “This poses a direct threat to public health, including immune and hormonal systems and potentially reproductive health.”
The study also raises concerns for laborers in industries producing PFAS-containing products. Workers handling these chemicals may face direct exposure, compounding environmental and dietary risks. Experts warn that without proper regulations, both communities and ecosystems remain vulnerable.
Bangladesh, for example, relies heavily on fish and seafood as dietary staples. Human exposure through local fisheries could mirror the global patterns observed in the study, underlining the urgent need for international policy measures.
“The issue is not just chemical toxicity in isolation,” Ricolfi emphasized. “We must track how these substances magnify through food chains to fully understand the ecological and human impact.”
Global policymakers are urged to adopt stricter regulations on PFAS use and disposal. While some countries have begun banning specific PFAS compounds, the study highlights gaps in monitoring, enforcement and public awareness, leaving ecosystems and populations at risk.
Experts say tackling PFAS contamination is not just an environmental necessity but also a public health imperative. Without coordinated international action, these persistent chemicals could threaten biodiversity, food security and human health for decades to come.
Source: Earth.com
