A paper on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Otters published by collaborators at the Cardiff University Otter Project, with Gloria Pereira (UKCEH) a co-author, highlights the presence and persistence of forever chemicals in the environment.
The paper is highlighted in the article Agency to regulate chemicals needed to protect UK, - BBC News
In the paper the authors used the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) as a sentinel species for the monitoring in the fresh water environment. Currently the PBMS is involved in the H4 monitoring project – part of the UK Governments 25-year Environment Plan. The H4 indicator “exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment” is using Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) as a sentinel species for terrestrial habitats. The aim is to show how exposure of wildlife to harmful chemicals is changing and to look at the impacts over time, PFAS is one of a suite of chemicals being monitored.