PFAS Contamination Intensifies Along Every Food Chain

The harmful effects of chemical pollution are often invisible to the naked eye and undetectable by smell. Some pollutants, however, intensify over time as they circulate through the environment. A recent study published in Nature Communications by the University of New South Wales, Sydney, has revealed that so-called “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), accumulate progressively at each stage of the food chain. When one organism consumes another, the concentration of these chemicals can nearly double.

PFAS are synthetic compounds widely used in everyday products, from cookware to food packaging, textiles, and firefighting foams. They are highly persistent, resistant to breakdown, and can remain in the environment and organisms for extended periods.

Professor Lorenzo Ricolfi, lead researcher at the University of New South Wales, explained: “At every higher level of the food chain, PFAS concentrations roughly double. These chemicals enter rivers, lakes, and oceans through industrial waste and sewage. Plankton and algae absorb them first, small fish then consume the plankton, and larger predators feed on the smaller fish, accumulating the toxins in their bodies. PFAS do not degrade easily, so levels increase progressively up the food chain.”

Top predators, including large fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, are especially affected, often reaching toxic levels. Professor Ricolfi warned that even when environmental contamination is relatively low, predators at the top of the food chain suffer disproportionately from these toxins. Humans, who consume seafood and other animal products, are directly exposed, presenting a significant public health concern.

A global analysis of 64 independent studies, covering 119 food chains and 72 distinct PFAS compounds, found this trend consistent across both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Alarmingly, even regions with minimal soil or water contamination showed high PFAS levels in apex organisms.

The researchers emphasise the need for stricter international regulations. “Testing for chemical toxicity alone is insufficient,” they noted. “It is crucial to monitor how these compounds biomagnify through the food chain to fully understand their ecological and human health impacts.”

This study underscores the invisible yet escalating threat of PFAS, calling for urgent global attention to safeguard both wildlife and human populations.