‘Forever chemicals’ in freshwater fish
KEY FINDINGS
1
PFAS compounds are a class of nonstick, waterproof and stain-resistant compounds used in consumer products and industrial applications. Best known are PFOA, formerly used to make DuPont’s Teflon, and PFOS, formerly in 3M’s Scotchgard.
2
Very low exposure to some PFAS has been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, weakened childhood immunity and many other health problems.
3
Test results reveal the presence of PFAS, most commonly PFOS, in freshwater fish. The problem is widespread, affecting almost every state and in some states including several bodies of water.
4
PFAS contamination of freshwater fish not only poses risks to fish health but also creates environmental justice concerns for the communities that rely on those fish for their diets, since they are being exposed to PFAS when they consume the fish.
5
Eating just one PFAS-contaminated freshwater fish per month could be the equivalent of drinking a glass of water with very high levels of PFOS or other forever chemicals.
DETAILS
- State:
- Waterbody:
- Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), PFAS National Datasets, Ambient Environmental Sampling for PFAS. Available here.