Latest news with #fishconsumption
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials warn against eating fish from popular US lakes due to toxic contamination: 'I would have loved to have known that'
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning people to limit their consumption of locally caught fish from several popular lakes because of high levels of PFAS –– known as "forever chemicals" –– found there. CBS News Colorado reported on the problem. "I would have loved to have known that," said local Mark McClellan, who fishes regularly at Chatfield Reservoir. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of highly toxic chemicals contained in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, clothing, toiletries, and food packaging. They don't break down in the environment, so they accumulate over time, and they can accumulate in our bodies when we are exposed to them. People are exposed to PFAS when they consume contaminated food or water. The fish swimming in the Colorado lakes with high levels of PFAS absorb these chemicals, which is why officials are warning against consuming them. We can also be exposed by using products that contain PFAS and inhaling air that has been contaminated. Colorado Parks and Wildlife assisted with the study that determined the dangerous levels of chemicals in the fish and has placed signs at three bodies of water that detail the advisories so people can make informed decisions. PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, fertility issues, and increased risks of asthma and thyroid disease. These chemicals have been detected in the bodies of 97% of Americans. They are so prevalent because they are used in so many industries, which leads to their release into our water supply, soil, and air. Some businesses are working to reduce the use of PFAS, creating policies to phase them out or eliminating them entirely. By staying informed and supporting companies that are taking steps to protect the environment and reduce their reliance on PFAS, we can reduce our exposure. Local lakegoer Israel Lopez was alarmed and told CBS News Colorado, "I didn't know there were all those chemicals out here in the water." Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking has more information on consuming fish in the Centennial State. The state health department has not yet considered closing the lakes, stating, "Our focus is on providing people with information so they can enjoy all that Colorado has to offer while reducing their exposure to things that could have negative health effects." Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Michigan expands "do no eat" advisory for wild caught fish
The state of Michigan has nearly tripled the bodies of water that it warns residents not to eat fish from due to heightened levels of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. Testing of edible portions of fish found in rivers and lakes around the state revealed detectable levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS. In the Huron River in Ann Arbor, PFOS sometimes presents as a white foam on the water's surface and is considered toxic for humans to ingest. "You shouldn't eat any of the fish in the river with the contamination that's in it right now," said Mike Mouradian, education director for Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited. In addition to residents relying on fish for food security, Mouradian said he's concerned international visitors to the city may not understand the warnings. "We're working with the Huron River Watershed Council and the city to have signs in a variety of languages," he said. "It's a cultural thing. In Ann Arbor, we have people from all over the world visit us, and when they catch a fish, they eat it ... When I see people fishing and they've got a bucket, I usually talk to them about it." Kevin Baker and his son come to Island Park to fish as a hobby. "We have been fishing around in the Huron River a little bit, and we don't eat the fish here – we do it for sport," said Baker. "We are aware of some of the environmental pollution issues in the area and also the updated guidance." According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guide was expanded due to new, more conservative guidelines when it comes to PFOS contamination. "Science has been emerging with understanding of PFOS toxicity that it's more toxic than originally thought," said Marcus Wasilevich, MDHHS toxicology and assessment section manager. "We're also realizing that people in the United States, including residents of Michigan here, have a background exposure to PFOS. Everybody has PFOS already in their bloodstream, even if they don't eat fish. So, taking that into consideration as well as taking into consideration that PFOS is more toxic now than it was thought 10 years ago, our 2025 guides have more conservative consumption recommendations based on PFOS." Wasilevich said out of the 11,000 bodies of water in the state, 600 have been tested for PFOS. In Michigan, mercury continues to be the main contaminant of concern in wild-caught fish, followed by PFOS. "If you look at the guides and do not find your types of fish, or your water body that has been tested, then follow the statewide guidelines that will be in place mostly due to mercury," said Wasilevich. Visit the state's website to see the complete MDHHS 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guide.
CBS News
01-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Colorado health officials warn of fish contaminated with PFAS or "forever chemicals" in popular lakes
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning people to limit the number of locally caught fish they consume from popular Colorado lakes like Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton, Barr Lake near Brighton, and Runyon Lake near Pueblo. These lakes have all been flagged for high levels of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." Colorado Parks and Wildlife assisted with the study of the chemical levels in fish and told CBS Colorado, it was "so anglers can make informed health decisions for their families," and that there will be signs detailing the advisories placed at the three bodies of water in the coming week. But that didn't help people who were out enjoying the water Saturday. "We ate one not that long ago. So, I would have loved to have known that, then I might have just thrown it back," said Mark McClellan, who frequently fishes at Chatfield Reservoir. Mark McClellan, who fishes at Chatfield Reservoir and often eats what he catches, says he'll reduce the amount of wild-caught fish he eats after findings from Colorado health officials about chemicals found in fishes at popular lakes throughout the state. CBS While some catch and release, McClellan says he typically eats what he catches, and was surprised to hear the fish in the water could contain forever chemicals, which, if exposed to long-term, can cause an increased risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases. According to the state health department's interactive map showing contamination in Colorado lakes, they advise the general public not to eat more than one serving a month of smallmouth bass from Chatfield Reservoir and two servings of walleye. "Walleye is probably the best-eating ones out of here, though," said McClellan. "So that's unfortunate, but I guess I need to limit it." Israel Lopez and his dad are also regulars at Chatfield. They don't typically eat the fish, but he was alarmed to find some were contaminated. "Kind of like, whoa," Lopez said. "I didn't know there were all those chemicals out here in the water." Israel Lopez was alarmed to learn about health warnings from Colorado officials about chemicals detected in fish in several popular lakes throughout the state. CBS Still, the information won't deter him from coming to Chatfield to fish and do what he loves. "Once you catch a fish, when you have them on, you just get this adrenaline rush," Lopez said. "Because you don't always know what you're going to bring up, you know what I mean, how big it is, how heavy. That's why I love it." When asked if they've considered closing any of the popular fishing spots, the state health department told CBS News Colorado, "our focus is on providing people with information so they can enjoy all that Colorado has to offer while reducing their exposure to things that could have negative health effects. The vast majority of our fish advisories don't recommend never eating the fish; instead they recommend limiting the amount of certain fish that you do eat."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ADPH releases 2025 fish consumption advisories
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — People looking to eat the fish they catch may benefit from reading the 2025 fish consumption advisories. ADPH annually updates the fish consumption advisories based on data gathered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management from the previous fall. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. ADEM, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources collected samples of specific fish species to analyze from various bodies of water throughout the state in the fall of 2024. This includes 492 samples from 42 collection stations. ADPH assessed the results to find whether any tested contaminants in the fish could cause potential health effects. The main contaminants in Alabama are: Mercury Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Perfluoralkyl sulfonate (PFOS) These advisories are issued for specific bodies of water and fish taken from those areas. In reservoirs, advisories apply to waters as far as a boat can be taken upstream to full pool elevations. Recently, ADEM has been putting up signs at many public boat launches with a QR code. The code on the sign can be scanned with a mobile phone and will link to the advisory map. The map can also be found at the ADEM website. Newly issued advisories are the safe amount of fish that can be eaten in a given time, such as meals per week, meals per month or do not eat any. A meal consists of six ounces of cooked fish or eight ounces of raw fish. New and updated consumption advisories released for the 42 bodies of water tested can be found on the ADPH Toxicology website. The advice in the release is offered as a guide for people who want to eat fish they catch from the various bodies of water throughout Alabama. However, no regulations ban the consumption of any of the fish caught within the state, nor is there a risk of an acute toxic episode that could happen from eating any of the fish containing the contaminants, which the State has done tests on. A general rule of thumb is that older, larger fish have eaten more and have been in the water longer, so there is a higher chance for contaminants being in their bodies. A fish consumption advisory can be issued for one or more specific species of fish within a body of water, or an advisory can be extended to include all fish species there. When excess levels of a contaminant are found in a specific species of fish, an advisory is issued for that specific species. When excess levels of a contaminant are found in multiple fish species sampled from a specific body of water, a Do Not Eat Any advisory would be issued. Eating a fish from an area under a Do Not Eat Any advisory may put the consumer at risk for harm. If a species is listed in the advisory, it is safe to assume that a similar species with similar feeding habits should be eaten with caution. For example, if black crappie is listed and white crappie is not, because they are in the same family, all crappie would fall under the listed advisory. To see the full list of contaminated fish in Alabama, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials warn of contamination in popular fish species caught locally: 'We have different guidelines for ... sensitive populations'
The Minnesota Department of Health has updated its guidelines on fish consumption from certain waterbodies in the state based on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination data. MPR News reported in mid-April that the Minnesota Department of Health issued new warnings about PFAS in certain fish. Roughly 44 water bodies in 10 counties, both in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, are included in the new guidelines. People should avoid all fish from the Minnesota River Valley ponds and Long Meadow Lake in Hennepin County. Warnings also advise limited consumption of Mooney Lake bass, George Lake walleye, and yellow perch and common carp from Otter Lake, McCuen Creek, Bear Creek, and the Crow River's south fork. However, guidelines were loosened for one lake, with the Department of Health saying that one serving of smelt caught from Lake Superior per week is OK — previously, it was one serving per month. The updated guidelines indicate officials are finding higher concentrations of PFAS in these areas and species. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in the manufacturing of products like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and food packaging. These forever chemicals accumulate in the body and are linked to certain health issues. According to WebMD, the presence of PFAS can cause high cholesterol, low birth weight, early puberty, childhood obesity, decreased fertility, hormone changes, weakened immunity, thyroid problems, and more health issues. Angela Preimesberger, who leads the health department's fish consumption guidance program, said, "It's really important that people understand that our guidelines are affected by where you're fishing and who you are, and that we have different guidelines for people that are in sensitive populations." Sensitive populations include pregnant women, children under 15, and women who are breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant. Other populations are advised to consume these fish with caution and in limited quantities. PFAS also harm the environment. They build up in animals, causing reproductive, immunity, and developmental problems. This can weaken populations and topple ecosystems, reducing biodiversity that is vital to a healthy planet for everyone. Officials have implemented several standards regarding drinking water, swimming areas, and seafood contaminated by high levels of PFAS. However, removing these chemicals is difficult, requiring targeted filtration, osmosis, or ion exchange, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It can't be done on a large scale, either. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Preventing the manufacture of more forever chemicals is crucial. The 3M Company contaminated groundwater, lakes, and rivers in the Minnesota area for decades. Holding brands accountable for their environmental impact can drive progress toward cleaner water and a cooler planet. Supporting environmentally conscious brands and advocating for strict regulations and corporate policies can also make a difference. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
