Freshwater fish study shows their surprising scale

They compared this data with the amount of forever chemicals found in store-bought fish as per the FDA and US Environmental Protection Agency. The average PFAS concentration in freshwater fish was 280 times higher than what was measured in commercially sold fish. 

So basically, the amount of forever chemicals your body gets from eating store-bought fish every day for 365 days is the same as the PFAS you receive from consuming just one freshwater fish in a year. 

Based on their findings, the researchers also estimate that a single freshwater fish meal will give you the same amount of PFAS you get when you drink water containing forever chemicals at 48 parts per trillion for 30 days. 

“These test results are breathtaking. Eating one bass is equivalent to drinking PFOS-tainted water for a month,” said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President at EWG. 

The dangers of PFAS-loaded fish

Eating fish that contain high PFAS concentrations can increase the risk of thyroid and kidney disorders, elevate blood cholesterol levels, undermine immune system functions, and make a person more susceptible to various types of cancers. 

Scientists at EWG have previously discovered that even small amounts of PFAS in drinking water can adversely affect reproductive health and vaccine efficiency in the human body. The results of the current study raise concerns about the health of communities that mainly consumes freshwater animals. 

“Growing up, I went fishing every week and ate those fish. But now, when I see fish, all I think about is PFAS contamination. People who consume freshwater fish, especially those who catch and eat fish regularly, are at risk of alarming levels of PFAS in their bodies,” said David Andrews, one of the authors and a scientist at EWG.