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Briefing (power point)

Press Release

Two Page Report Summary

Full Report

species studied

American kestrel
Arctic tern
Atlantic puffin
Bald eagle
Belted kingfisher
Black guillemot
Common eider
Common loon
Common tern
Double-crested cormorant
Great black-backed gull
Glossy ibis
Herring gull
Least tern
Leach’s
storm-petrel
Osprey
Peregrine falcon
Piping plover
Red-winged blackbird
Snowy egret
Tree swallow
Virginia rail
Willet

New Report

Contaminant screening in Maine birds: A new report by BioDiversity Research Institute

Primary Findings

• Banned and new harmful contaminants were found in all Maine bird eggs tested.

• Industrial stain and water repellants (PFCs) were found for the first time in Maine birds.

• Contaminants were found above adverse effects levels.

• Contaminants were found in birds living on the ocean, salt marshes, rivers, lakes, and uplands.

• Birds found in southern coastal Maine tended to have the highest contaminant levels.

• Eagles had the highest contaminant levels.

• Birds with high levels of one contaminant had high levels of other contaminants.

• The flame retardant deca was found in eight species.

• Overall, banned contaminants are lower today than in the past.

Contaminants measured

• Mercury: neurological,
reproductive

• Banned transformer coolants (PCBs): immunological, reproductive, organ function

• Flame retardants (PBDEs): developmental, endocrinal, organ function

• Industrial stain and water repellants (PFCs): developmental, reproductive

• Banned pesticides (OCs):
egg-shell thinning, reproductive