![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Impact of contaminants upon birds becoming a well-developed science
In recent years there has been increased concern about the potential of environmental contaminants to suppress immune systems, thereby increasing the incidence of disease in humans as well as in wildlife populations. Recently it has become possible to study the potential effects of contaminants on wildlife, including birds. Birds are subject to periodic disease outbreaks and are known to be susceptible to toxic effects of environmental chemicals. Western Ecology Division’s Dr. Anne Fairbrother, collaborated with colleagues from the University of Saskatoon and Wright State University on a state-of-the-science report of avian immunotoxicology. They describe the avian immune system, giving emphasis to differences between birds and mammals, and review the scientific literature on contaminant-induced immunosuppression, and discuss how changes in the immune system can affect the evolutionary fitness of birds. Their report, which is to be published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, concludes that a great deal of scientific information is available on the field of immunology for songbirds, seabirds, raptors, and other free-ranging species. It is now possible to screen chemicals for immunotoxicological properties following the same, multi-tiered approach that has been established for mammals, the scientists report. It is likely that immune suppression in adult birds can result from low-level, chronic stress including environmental pollutants. Increased fitness costs associated with such stress may significantly alter genetic diversity and species survival over time. (Contact A. Fairbrother, 541-754-4567; fairbrother.anne@epa.gov)