Scientists from North Carolina State University conducted a study in Central North Carolina and found something concerning.
They discovered elevated levels of harmful chemicals called “forever chemicals” in the blood of pet dogs and horses living in the area.
These chemicals are known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and they can stay in the environment and our bodies for a very long time.
PFAS can be found in various industrial processes, certain firefighting foams, and even household items.
Unfortunately, these chemicals have been linked to serious health problems, including kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other illnesses.
The researchers confirmed that dogs and horses can act as important indicators of human exposure to PFAS.
This means that if these animals are affected, it’s likely that people in the area might also be exposed to these harmful chemicals.
The region where the study took place in Central North Carolina has a high level of PFAS contamination, probably because of local factories or industries producing these chemicals.
The study found 20 different types of PFAS in the blood of the tested animals, and more than half of them had at least 12 of these types in their blood.
This shows how widespread PFAS contamination can be.
The researchers also discovered that dogs that drank well water had similar levels of PFAS in their blood as children living in the same area.
This suggests that dogs can be good indicators of whether PFAS is present in households.
But interestingly, dogs that drank bottled water also had PFAS in their blood, indicating that other sources of contamination in homes, like household dust or food, might be responsible.
Horses in the study had lower levels of PFAS in their blood compared to dogs, but they showed higher levels of a substance called NBP2, which suggests that they might be getting exposed to PFAS from the outdoor environment, possibly through contaminated food.
Overall, this study shows that PFAS is a widespread issue, and it can have serious health implications for both animals and humans.
It’s essential for authorities to regulate the use and release of these harmful chemicals to protect our health and the environment.
Key points:
- Elevated ‘forever chemicals’ found in North Carolina dogs and horses.
- ‘Forever chemicals’ (PFAS) persist in the environment and cause health issues.
- Dogs and horses are important indicators of human PFAS exposure.
- Central North Carolina is highly contaminated with PFAS.
- PFAS present in animals even with bottled water consumption.
- Horses exposed to PFAS through manufacturing byproduct (NBP2).
- Study underscores the need for PFAS regulation to protect animals and humans.