Researchers from the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and their colleagues at the University of Graz in Austria have found evidence that ski and competitive ski areas harbor toxic chemicals from the PFAS family. Their findings appear in Environmental Science: Processes and Effects, a scientific journal that highlights the environmental and health impacts of these substances.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, are widely used across industries such as apparel, carpeting, food packaging, and kitchenware. They resist degradation, earning the nickname forever chemicals because they linger in the environment and in living beings for long periods.
These eternal chemicals can enter the body not only through drinking water but also through products and packaging that contain PFAS. Health concerns linked to PFAS exposure include higher cancer risk, birth defects, liver and thyroid problems, weakened immune function, and hormonal disruptions.
In soil samples from seven ski resorts in the Austrian Alps, scientists identified 14 distinct PFAS types. All of these compounds are associated with lubricants used in skiing, underscoring a direct route of exposure for those who frequent snow sports.
Further analysis pointed to about 30 PFAS compounds that are most likely to be present in ski wax. The combination of wax formulations and lubricant traces suggests a potential pathway for environmental contamination that can affect soil, water, and potentially the broader ecosystem around winter sports venues.
Although some international ski organizations have banned lubricants containing forever chemicals, the adoption of these bans across global competitions has been gradual. The delay stems from the time needed to develop reliable testing methods and to establish enforcement at events, even as awareness of PFAS risks grows among athletes and spectators alike.
These findings echo earlier studies showing PFAS contamination in drinking water and environmental media across parts of Europe, underscoring a broader pattern of exposure that warrants ongoing monitoring and policy attention. Attribution: research team led by the James Hutton Institute; independent replication by Austrian partners; publication details in Environmental Science: Processes and Effects.