Huge amounts of toxic chemicals known as “persistent chemicals” have been found in freshwater fish, but there are no federal guidelines regarding what is considered a safe amount for consumption.
Persistent Chemicals and Their Health Effects
Studies indicate that consuming a single meal of freshwater fish can be equivalent to drinking contaminated water with high levels of persistent chemicals for a month. This poses a particularly concerning finding for rural, indigenous, and low-income communities that rely on fishing for their livelihood. Fish remain a significant part of cultural dishes, as well as a healthy source of protein and Omega 3.
Current Warnings and Guidelines
At least 17 states have issued warnings about the consumption of freshwater fish related to persistent chemicals, with some warning residents against eating any fish caught in certain lakes or rivers due to hazardous levels of persistent chemicals. Without federal guidelines, what is considered safe for consumption varies greatly between states, most of which provide no regulation.
Pollution and Environmental Impact
Persistent chemicals accumulate in the food chain, with larger fish containing higher levels of these chemicals than smaller fish. While mercury is more prevalent in Maine, levels of persistent chemicals near pollution sources are alarmingly high.
Warnings and Guidelines in the United States
Guidelines regarding unsafe fish consumption vary between states. Permissible levels for at-risk groups, such as children and women of childbearing age, range from low to moderate. Upper limits for the general population range from 25.7 parts per billion in New Hampshire to 800 parts per billion in Alabama.
Pollution and Federal Efforts
Federal efforts focus on reducing exposure to persistent chemicals in drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed initial drinking water standards for these chemicals, which would limit pollution from six types of chemicals, setting levels for the most common chemical compounds, PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion.
Pollution and Warnings in the States
States face the challenge of establishing specific warnings and guidelines for fish consumption due to varying pollution levels from lake to lake and fish species to fish species. Michigan is working on updating its screening values for warnings related to freshwater fish.
Pollution and Health Impact
To mitigate levels of persistent chemicals, pollution must also be stopped. There is hope that pollution levels could decrease by an average of 30% in fish over the years. However, fully cleaning rivers and lakes is extremely difficult. If we do not address the source, we will have to spend more taxpayer money on cleaning it up and addressing fish consumption warnings.
Federal Efforts and Pollution
Federal efforts continue to try to reduce exposure to persistent chemicals, but the main focus so far has been on drinking water. However, fish purchased from the ocean, such as imported salmon and canned tuna, appear to have lower levels of persistent chemicals.
Pollution and Warnings in California
California is one of many states where there are no fish consumption warnings related to persistent chemicals. This is partly due to the “limited monitoring budget” and the priority given to legacy chemicals like PCBs and mercury, which remain at particularly high concentrations from gold mining and mercury.
Pollution and Warnings in the United States
Guidelines regarding unsafe fish consumption vary between states. Permissible levels for at-risk groups, such as children and women of childbearing age, range from low to moderate. Upper limits for the general population range from 25.7 parts per billion in New Hampshire to 800 parts per billion in Alabama.
Pollution
Impact on Health
Although persistent chemicals are no longer manufactured in the United States, PFOS remains the most common and widely tested compound in fish today. 3M, the main manufacturer of PFOS, announced it would begin phasing out the compound in 2000. That year, the company stated it would pay at least $10.3 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by public water system operators. However, in July, attorneys general from 22 states requested the settlement be rejected, claiming it was insufficient to cover damages.
Pollution and Federal Efforts
Pat Elder, an activist and director of the environmental advocacy group “Military Boys,” has documented water contaminated with persistent chemicals along the eastern coast of the United States, including the Piscataway River, which flows from Joint Base Andrews, the home of the presidential aircraft. In 2021, Maryland state officials issued a warning against consuming fish from the Piscataway River. However, Elder is concerned that Maryland has not gone far enough to protect its residents. Since then, the Maryland Department of the Environment has conducted more fish monitoring in waters near sources of persistent chemicals, as well as in areas regularly used by anglers.
Pollution and Warnings in the United States
States face the challenge of establishing specific consumption advisories and guidance regarding fish due to varying levels of contamination from lake to lake and fish species to species. Michigan is working to update its screening values for freshwater fish advisories.
Pollution and Health Impact
To mitigate levels of persistent chemicals, pollution must also stop. There is hope that contamination levels will decrease by 30% on average in fish over the years. However, completely cleaning rivers and lakes is very difficult. If we do not address the source, we will have to spend more taxpayer money to clean it up and handle fish-related advisories.
About the Authors
Hannah Norman is a video producer and visual reporter at KFF Health News. KFF Health News is one of the three main programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), a national newsroom producing in-depth journalism on health issues.
Leave a Reply