How would you describe your project in a few sentences?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a common class of chemical that have been used widely in consumer products for over half a century. PFASs have unique oil and water-repelling properties which make them particularly useful for anything from carpet protecting sprays to microwave popcorn bags. Unfortunately, many PFASs don’t break down in the environment and tend to accumulate in our blood stream. Manufacturing of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS - the most commonly detected PFAS in the environment), was phased out in 2002, yet concentrations are still increasing in some wildlife from the Baltic region. In addition, fluorinated substances intended to replace PFOS are being increasingly introduced into the global marketplace, with little accompanying information on their risks. In this study we investigate how exposure of Baltic Cod to PFOS and replacement fluorinated chemicals has changed over the last 3 decades in response to phase-out initiatives and production of alternative substances.
What are your most important results, and for whom are they particularly useful?
Data from this work will tell us whether PFOS concentrations in Baltic cod are declining in response to global phase-out initiatives, and whether replacement chemicals are starting to appear in this species. These results are useful for risk assessors, policy makers, and the general public alike.
How can it assist an ecosystem based management of the marine environment?
Cod is a top predator and key component of the Baltic food chain. Ensuring a healthy cod population is important for maintaining ecosystem balance but also for sustainable commercial fisheries. Chemical pollution has been identified as among the factors which negatively affect cod numbers in the Baltic. Measuring levels of fluorinated compounds in Baltic Cod over time allows us to evaluate recent phase-out initiatives while informing policy makers on the presence of emerging substances. Ultimately, reducing chemical exposure is not only good for the health of cod populations, but the entire Baltic ecosystem as well.
