Cause of seal die-off in 1988 is still under debate

Product Type: Journal Article

Year: 2000

Author(s): O'Shea, T.J

Suggested Citation:
O'Shea, T.J. 2000. Cause of seal die-off in 1988 is still under debate. Science 290 (5494): 1097.

Abstract

Peter Ross and his colleagues review in their letter (15 Sept., p. 1878) their findings on immune disruption by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in harbor seals, a rare example of controlled experimental research much needed in marine mammal toxicology. There is no question that PCBs can pose threats to humans and wildlife. Their letter was prompted by my comment (Letters, 16 June, p. 1965) that a 1988 die-off of seals in Europe was due to a morbillivirus epizootic...