Toxin May Hurt Whales’ Ability to Navigate

A toxic chemical used to keep the bottom of boats clean may impair the hearing of whales, possibly causing the marine mammals to beach themselves, according to a study to be published in Biophysical Journal.

Tributyltin oxide, also known as TBT, is applied to boats to prevent the accumulation of barnacles and debris. Researchers found that the chemical prevented the proper functioning of cells in whales that regulate and boost sounds. Whales use their hearing to navigate.

The chemical may enter a whale’s system through food, said Joseph Santos-Sacchi, the study’s lead author and a professor of neurobiology at Yale University.