Deformities in Minnesota Frogs Linked to Toxic Chemicals in Water

Widespread deformities in frogs found in Minnesota are linked to toxic chemicals in the water, researchers announced Tuesday. The frogs have been found with missing limbs, extra limbs and misplaced organs.

Researchers from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grew embryos of a particular frog species in mixtures of pure water and water from Minnesota wetlands. When the concentration of Minnesota water exceeded 50%, they found, the deformities began to appear. They are now trying to identify the chemicals that cause the deformities.