PFAS in Seafood: New Study Alerts Gulf of Maine Anglers and Consumers

A new study has found dangerous chemicals called PFAS in seafood from the Gulf of Maine. This is big news for people who love to eat fish and shellfish. The study shows that lobster and shrimp have the most PFAS, which are also known as "forever chemicals."

Researchers bought seafood from a market in Portsmouth and tested it. They found that eating this seafood often might be bad for people's health. This matters a lot in New Hampshire, where most people eat seafood regularly. The study makes people worry more about PFAS in seafood and how it might affect our health.

PFAS can cause health problems like high cholesterol, some cancers, and trouble having babies. These chemicals stay in the environment for a long time and build up in fish and shellfish. That's why PFAS in seafood is a big concern.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) has warnings about eating fish from some lakes and rivers. They found a type of PFAS called PFOS in five waters in southern New Hampshire. DES says people should limit how much fish they eat from these places, especially pregnant women and young kids.

PFAS in seafood doesn't just affect people. It also hurts sea life, which could change fishing and the seafood business over time.

Scientists are now studying how PFAS moves through the food chain in the ocean. They're also looking at how different types of PFAS affect health. This research will help people understand the risks of PFAS in seafood and make smart choices about what they eat.

While we wait for more information about PFAS in seafood, here are some tips:

• Check local warnings before eating fish you catch
• Eat different kinds of seafood, not just one type
• Support efforts to reduce PFAS pollution in our waters

By staying informed about PFAS in seafood and following official advice, we can make safer choices while still enjoying seafood.