High ranges of dangerous PFAS chemical substances have been detected in fish at 13 state parks, in response to well being officers who’re warning folks to not eat fish from sure our bodies of water within the area.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued new fish consumption advisories for individuals who catch and eat freshwater fish from the favored 13 state parks run by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
During current testing of leisure waterbodies, elevated ranges of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been present in fish sampled from: Walden Pond in Concord; Houghtons Pond in Milton; Lake Cochituate in Natick; Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester; Ashland Reservoir in Ashland; Fearing Pond in Plymouth; Pearce Lake in Saugus; Watsons Pond in Taunton; Dennison Lake in Winchendon; Dunn Pond in Gardner; Wallum Lake in Douglas; Chicopee Reservoir in Chicopee; and Pequot Pond in Westfield.
The detected PFAS ranges within the fish have been larger than DPH-recommended ranges for normal consumption.
“Because the new fish consumption advisories are different for each waterbody, recommendations range from consuming two meals per week to no fish consumption,” the Department of Public Health mentioned in an announcement.
These suggestions range relying on the degrees of PFAS discovered within the fish, different contaminants which have been evaluated prior to now, and who may eat the fish. The state has warnings for delicate populations (together with youngsters beneath 12, people who find themselves or might grow to be pregnant, and nursing folks), and for all different folks within the basic inhabitants.
DPH additionally sampled floor water at these places, and PFAS was not discovered at ranges that might be unsafe for swimming or another leisure actions.
PFAS are a bunch of artificial chemical substances manufactured and utilized in a wide range of shopper merchandise and industries worldwide.
“Based on studies of laboratory animals and people, exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with changes in liver and kidney function, changes in thyroid hormone and cholesterol levels, and immune system effects,” DPH mentioned.
“In addition, PFAS exposure has been shown to cause developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy,” the state company added. “Some studies also suggest an increased risk of developing cancer following long-term exposures to elevated levels of some PFAS.”
Surface water testing at seven marine seashores — together with Carson, Constitution, Savin Hill and Tenean seashores in Boston Harbor, Revere Beach in Broad Sound, Kings Beach in Nahant Bay, and Wollaston Beach in Quincy Bay — confirmed that these seashores are protected for swimming.
DPH fish consumption recommendation applies to the consumption of all native sport fish, however don’t apply to stocked trout at a waterbody. Stocked fish are raised in fish hatcheries after which launched. As a outcome, they’re unlikely to spend sufficient time in a lake or pond to grow to be contaminated.
The state’s freshwater fish consumption advisory lookup desk for various waterbodies may be discovered at www.mass.gov/info-details/freshwater-fish-consumption-advisory-lookup-table.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”