Scientists find toxic substances and pesticides in eggs in Greece

The so-called “forever chemicals,” which never break down and accumulate in the environment, eventually entering the food chain, have been found in eggs in Greece. A new scientific study reports alarming findings regarding Greek eggs, revealing high concentrations of PFAS as well as traces of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

Experts have been raising the alarm for years: PFAS have been linked to cancer, liver and immune system damage, and developmental problems in children. Studies in France, Germany, and Denmark had shown widespread contamination of eggs, raising the question of whether a similar situation exists in Greece.

The answer comes from scientists at the University of the Aegean and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Published in the journal *Science of The Total Environment*, the study analyzed 75 eggs from caged hens in Serres, Magnesia, Viotia, Attica, and Ilia.

The results were particularly concerning: PFAS were detected in all samples, and more than half of the eggs exceeded EU legal limits. In Ilia, every sample exceeded EFSA guidelines for all age groups.

Average levels of PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBA were recorded at very high concentrations, with some measurements reaching up to 5.30 μg/kg. According to the researchers, adolescents and the elderly in Greece exceed the safe weekly intake, raising serious concerns for consumer health.

The study also, for the first time in Greek eggs, recorded residues of pharmaceuticals and six different pesticides. Among them, DEET, an insect repellent, was found in all samples, while oxolinic acid was the most frequently detected pharmaceutical compound.

Although heavy metals were found at low levels, the scientists are clear: the presence of PFAS in Greek eggs constitutes a public health threat. They emphasize that further research is needed to identify the sources of contamination and implement protective measures.

“KORÇA BOOM”