Long-lasting chemicals such as PFAS – otherwise known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – have been found in alarmingly high levels amongst WA’s tiger snake population, research has discovered.

The joint study undertaken by the CSIRO, Curtin University and the Department  of Water and Environmental Regulation tested snake livers to better understand the impact the chemicals are having on the environment.

CSIRO post-doctoral researcher Doctor Damian Lettoof told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings the permanence of PFAS in the environment means it’s hard to tell how the chemicals have invaded the snake’s bodies so heavily.

“They could have been exposed once by one big pollution event, or they could be form a trickle of pollution over years,” Dr Lettoof said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the worrying study