We're Dumping Chemical Substances and the Polar Bears Are Becoming Hermaphrodites

We reported in an article at the beginning of December that a WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) study awarded the killer whale with 'the most toxic mammal' title in the Arctic zone, the marine creature succeeding to dethrone the polar bear.

In 2006, this situation is still valid, but the fact that the polar bear lost the title in this competition of toxicity doesn't mean it's safe from the effects of the chemical substances spilled in the ocean by the big companies.

A team of researchers from Canada, Alaska, Denmark and Norway found large quantities of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyl), pesticides and a brominated flame retardant, which aside from the negative impact on thyroid glands, motor skills and brain function, has also led to the increase in number of hermaphrodite bears.

According to the findings, one in 50 female bears in the Svalbard Island had both sets of sexual organs, and researchers say this statistic is directly linked to pollution.

According to a WWF press release, the appearance of a potentially dangerous brominated flame retardant in the killer whales is of particular concern, because, unlike PCBs and the most harmful pesticides, many hazardous brominated flame retardants are not currently banned

This research re-confirms that the Arctic is now a chemical sink. Chemicals from products that we use in our homes every day are contaminating arctic wildlife," Colin Butfield, leader of WWF-UK's Chemicals and Health Campaign said when the WWF announced the whale as being the most toxic mammal.

According to the Independent's online edition, ecologists are particularly alarmed by these discoveries because of the already fragile population of polar bears.

Aside from the chemical threat, bears are also affected by global warming, which is slowly destroying their hunting grounds.