Common household chemicals are being found in polar bear brains?

Again, thanks to humans, perFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFASs), Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and their precursors, which are resistant to thermal, biological and chemical degradation are bioaccumulating in polar bears. PCBs were banned in the United States in 1979 due in large part to their role in cancer and as a neurotoxin, but  prior to that they were widely used as coolants and plastizers in household items such as paint and cement and as a stabilizing agent for countless other products. PFASs are found in coatings for textiles, paper products, carpets, upholstery as well as food packaging that are water, oil and soil repellent. These nasty chemcials are also found in pharmaceuticals, cleaning products and fire-fighting foams. The problem with PFSAs is that many of them are known or suspected neurotoxins and/or carcinogens. The good news is PFASs have not been produced in the western world since 2002 but the bad news is, China loves them and despite their ban in the west, scientists have measured a ten-fold increase in production and use since 2002.

Even though the United States listed polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008, and Canada and Russia listed them as a species of special concern, all of this listing will be for naught is climate change is not halted. Sadly, there may be a day in the future where the only bears to celebrate on February 27th will be the ones in the zoo.

Of course, it does not have to be this way. The threat to polar bears is human-caused and thus the solution is human-based. Maybe it is time for polar-bear friendly labeling, just as there is dolphin-friendly labeling. Maybe, international pressure needs to mount on China with regards to PFAS. Maybe, U.S. citizens must sue to the EPA for not addressing climate change and thus not upholding the Endangered Species Act. We have the power to alter the course of the polar bear and ensure it this iconic species of the arctic has a happy ending. But the question is will we?