The presence of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl, a toxic pollutant used in manufacturing plastics), dioxins and mercury in Arctic animal tissue may be higher than supposed, the SFT (Norwegian Pollution Control Authority) reports.
A study of the Arctic petrel by the NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research) commissioned by the SFT indicates that vital work needs to be done to hinder the spread of environmental toxins to the polar region.
The report revealed relatively high, though not toxic, mercury levels in the birds. The concentration of mercury is near the level associated with malnutrition and chronic disease in bird populations.
