Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are widespread in industrial and consumer products, from food packaging to cosmetics. These "forever chemicals" are known for their persistence in the environment and their ability to accumulate in humans, animals, and plants, often remaining for decades. Due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS are incredibly resistant to degradation, leading to accumulation in the environment. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health conditions, including testicular, kidney, breast cancer, and low birth weights.

In New Mexico, environmental screenings have revealed exceptionally high levels of PFAS contamination in the water and soil at Holloman Lake near Alamogordo. Concerned by these findings, our collaborative team of researchers from the University of New Mexico's Museum of Southwestern Biology began testing waterfowl from Holloman Lake in 2021. Our results showed that ducks from this area contained levels of toxic PFAS that would make them unsafe for people to consume.

As sportsmen and scientists, we are committed to understanding the full extent of PFAS contamination in waterfowl. Our goal is to measure PFAS concentrations in waterfowl throughout New Mexico. Doing so will allow us to identify PFAS hotspots, trace how PFAS-contaminated birds disperse from contaminated sites, and help hunters to understand and avoid risks of exposure to harmful levels of PFAS in game meat. We believe it is important to know the risks that PFAS poses to animals and people. With this knowledge, we can help to ensure the future health of waterfowl populations.

We invite participation of hunters by donation of carcasses for PFAS testing. Specifically, we will be collecting frozen liver tissue (4 g) and one wing from each bird. Initially, up to 2 g of liver tissue will be used to measure the concentration of several PFAS compounds. The remaining liver and the wing will be accessioned into the collections of the Museum of Southwestern Biology where they will be available for future study. 

To participate, please fill out our Google form so we can get in touch with you about sampling methods and transfer of frozen specimens.