PCB chemical threat to Europe's killer whales and dolphins
Source: BBC
PCB chemical threat to Europe's killer whales and dolphins
By Rebecca Morelle
Science Correspondent, BBC News
14 January 2016 Science & Environment
A pollutant is present at "dangerously high levels" in Europe's killer whales and dolphins, scientists say.
PCBs were once used in electrical gear, paints and flame retardants, but were banned from the 1970s because of their toxic effect in humans and animals.
However the manmade chemicals have persisted in the environment, and are accumulating in top predators.
The study finds Europe's cetaceans have levels of PCBs that are among the highest found in on the oceans.
Lead author Dr Paul Jepson, a wildlife veterinarian from the Zoological Society of London, said: "For striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales, we have mean PCB levels that are excessive - they are really high - probably the highest in the world right now, by some way.
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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35302957
Related: PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters (Scientific Reports)