The latest episode of our Counting the Earth podcast is here! .
In this instalment, Alice and Sue brave the walk-in freezers at the UK 皇冠体育国际娱乐 for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) in Lancaster, where the temperatures get down to -18掳C, to explore the story behind PFAS 鈥� per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 鈥� also known as 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥�. These persistent chemicals are woven into our everyday lives, found in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, cosmetics, food packaging, and firefighting foam, for example.
But there鈥檚 a chilling twist: PFAS can remain in the environment for over 1,000 years, quietly building up in the food chain, and in the tissue in our bodies. As apex predators, birds of prey 鈥� like buzzards, barn owls, sparrowhawks, and kestrels 鈥� ingest these and other chemicals. For this reason, UKCEH dead predatory birds donated by the public are used by scientists to build up a picture of pollutants in the environment.
Listen now to learn how each bird tells a story 鈥� and to find out what we can do about forever chemicals.
Listener discretion: this episode includes a detailed description of an autopsy performed on a dead bird.
Want to help?
UKCEH is a registered charity. Discover more about the and support its vital work through the .
UKCEH scientists are collaborating with EU partners on the following projects relating to the development of new chemicals that are safe and sustainable in design.鈥�
Catch up on previous Counting the Earth episodes and never miss an update鈥攕ubscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, or wherever you listen. 馃實 Don鈥檛 forget to leave a review!
Produced by Rachael Buchanan
A Boffin Media production for the UK 皇冠体育国际娱乐 for Ecology & Hydrology