Scientists Identify Unseen PFAS Chemicals in Killer Whale Blubber
A recent study has revealed five newly identified fluorotelomer sulfones, types of PFAS “forever chemicals", accumulating in the blubber of killer whales in Greenland and Sweden. Unlike traditional, protein-binding PFAS typically found in liver and blood, these new fat-loving substances preferentially build up in the whales’ blubber, which can make up half the weight of marine mammals.
Researchers found that these chemicals accounted for up to 75% of fluorine-containing substances in blubber, yet were largely absent from liver tissue, challenging the long-held assumption that PFAS mainly target protein-rich tissues. The discovery suggests scientists may be underestimating PFAS exposure in marine mammals across the globe, especially as blubber is frequently neglected in exposure assessments.
PFAS and microplastics, both persistent “forever chemicals,” are widely used in plastics and consumer goods and can travel long distances in water, reaching remote regions including the Arctic. As apex predators, killer whales, and by extension, species and humans reliant on marine mammals for food, face new, poorly understood risks.
Bottom line: This discovery highlights the need for expanded PFAS monitoring in ocean life and calls attention to hidden chemical threats in food webs and vulnerable ecosystems.
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Puraffinity is pleased to announce that its G400+ adsorbent media has been certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 standards for Point of Entry (POE) and Water Treatment Plant End Use applications The certifications confirm that G400+ meets the required health effects criteria for materials used in drinking water system components. This milestone enables Puraffinity to support installations where NSF-certified products are required, including municipal drinking water applications. “As a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), I see this certification as an important step for broader municipal adoption, ” said Neal Megonnell, Chief Commercial Officer at Puraffinity. “It enables utilities to deploy our technology where NSF compliance is required, and it strengthens our ability to scale PFAS treatment solutions while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance.” Designed for highly effective PFAS removal with rapid kinetics, the advanced adsorbent media G400+ supports compact system design and efficient treatment across a wide range of water matrices. Building on this milestone, the company continues to advance water treatment solutions that help utilities and industry address PFAS compliance and protect drinking water quality.
Puraffinity partners with the U.S. Army ERDC to evaluate Puratech G400, an advanced adsorbent for PFAS removal, through lab and field trials comparing its performance and cost-effectiveness to existing PFAS treatment technologies
Puraffinity signs first commercial agreement for full-scale deployment of its PFAS removal technology
An exclusive panel featuring Puraffinity CEO Vincent Caillaud, who will join industry leaders to discuss cutting-edge solutions for combatting PFAS, “forever chemicals”, in drinking water. With PFAS contamination presenting urgent health challenges due to their extreme persistence, mobility, and health impacts at trace levels, this session will spotlight the realities of PFAS in water supplies, the latest science driving regulatory change, and the next generation of removal technologies.
WEFTEC 2025 is the world’s largest annual water quality conference and exhibition, held September 27–October 1, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago. It gathers over 20,000 water professionals from 100+ countries to explore cutting-edge water technologies, attend technical sessions and workshops, and network with sector leaders. The event features a massive exhibition of advanced solutions, educational opportunities, and speciality pavilions focused on topics like sustainability and digital innovation. Our CEO, Vincent Caillaud , and CCO, Neal Megonnell , will be in attendance.
In the Building World-Class Teams webinar series, Henrik Hagemann and Jessica Middlesmiss will be discussing how to Create Cultures that Scale