You're probably familiar with products that used 3M's former chemistry such as non-stick cookware and old Scotchguard. Still, what helped repel, also proved indestructible in nature, and it's somehow, now showing up everywhere. 3M found low levels in people. Scientists say it was found in eagles, even Arctic polar bears.
University of Minnesota environmental chemistry professor Matt Simcik, who studies how pollutants get around, said "These chemicals weren't supposed to go anywhere - and yet we find them."
Simcik has reviewed the reports that led to the Bluegill Sunfish advisory in Pool 2 on the Mississippi River.
In those reports, one compound in particular seemed to like the fish. While there's a wide range in both reports' filet samples, Professor Simcik sees the highest filet readings ever reported in the world right in Minnesota's corner of the Mississippi River.
"You have to consider that people are not using fish from pool 2 as their sole source of energy," Simcik said. "But a bald eagle flying by, it's going to get all of its food and all of its energy from those fish it pulls out of the river."
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=123776
Posted by Dave at May 10, 2006 12:52 PM