A $2.5 million grant from the Department of Defense will allow Purdue scientists to study the effects firefighting foam on amphibians, according to an article from ExecutiveBiz. The research will reportedly look at the impact of different levels of perfluoroalkyl on amphibians throughout their lifetime.
Perflouoralkyl is found in firefighting foams used repeatedly by the military in testing and training exercises and in other common household products. The chemical is reportedly known to affect the thyroid gland and could therefore cause developmental delays among young amphibians. The Purdue team is expanding studies into the physiological mechanisms for possible effects of the chemical, according to the article.
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