"Do not eat fish from rivers and lakes, they contain PFAS". The alarm of the US authorities

    Beware of fish in lakes and rivers, they contain PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources sounded the alarm

    Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

    Beware of fish from lakes and rivers, they contain PFAS. This is more or less the alarm raised by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of Wisconsin and that of the health services (DHS) who have issued a new warning limiting the consumption of fish.





    Based on the results of the latest sampling, the DNR and DHS are urging citizens to limit as much fish as possible from the rivers and lakes of Dane and Rock counties. These waters include Wingra Creek, Starkweather Creek, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, Upper and Lower Mud Lakes, Lake Kegonsa, and the Yahara River downstream to where it meets the River Rock.

    In particular, the two state agencies are recommending having no more than one meal a month of crappie, largemouth bass, trout, northern pike and walleye from those waters. For other species, however, consumption was limited to once a week. 

    The samples showed high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, in various fish species collected from Monona, Kegonsa and Waubesa lakes. The chemical is one of the most studied PFASs, and is known to accumulate the most in some species. Mean PFOS levels within fish ranged from 16,9 parts per billion to 72,4 parts per billion, according to data provided by the DNR. Some fish, such as largemouth bass, had maximum concentrations of up to 180 parts per billion.

    Recall that PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in numerous products for decades, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, food containers, plastic tableware, stain-resistant sprays, and some types of fire-fighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in various ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, PFAS-containing wastewater discharges at treatment plants, and the use of certain types of fire fighting foams. The DNR explains that

    scientists are still learning about the health effects. A large number of studies in people have examined possible relationships between PFAS levels in the blood and adverse health effects in people. However, most of these studies only looked at a small number of chemicals, and not all PFASs have the same effects. This research suggests that high levels of some PFAS can increase cholesterol levels, decrease reactivity to vaccines, and reduce fertility in women, among others. 



    The sampling of surface waters and fish from the Yahara range is part of a broader initiative by the DNR to better understand PFAS in the environment across Wisconsin.

    In 2019, surface water samples were collected from Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona, both of which were contaminated with these substances. Fish tissue samples were also taken from Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona which showed elevated levels of PFOS, which led to a consumption warning issued by the DNR and DHS as early as a year ago in January 2020 for fish caught. in those areas.

    Unfortunately, this is not a novelty. This is why the state of Wisconsin is stepping up controls. $ 20 million has been allocated for the monitoring and testing of PFAS but also to offer assistance and resources to local communities that are affected by this fearful contamination.

    Read our articles on PFAS

    Fonti di riferimento:  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Health

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