Maryland Issues First Fish Consumption Advisory Because of PFAS

By Christine Condon | Baltimore Sun | October 17, 2021

Read the full article by Christine Condon (Baltimore Sun)

“Maryland is recommending that people limit their consumption of certain fish in the Piscataway Creek in Prince George’s County because of PFAS contamination.

It’s the first time the state has issued such an advisory as a result of elevated levels of a per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance in seafood, according to a news release from Friday.ADVERTISING

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that prolonged exposure to certain PFAS can increase the risk of fetal development issues during pregnancy, as well as cancer, immune system damage or damage to the liver, thyroid or other organ systems.

The chemicals have been used extensively in consumer products dating back to the 1940s, including nonstick cookware and water repellant fabrics. Their inclusion in firefighting foams, sometimes used during training exercises at military bases, has contributed to concerns about contamination in neighboring waterways and groundwater.

‘Maryland is committed to reducing the risks of PFAS chemicals in our state and continuing our close coordination with scientific, local, state and federal partners,’ said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. ‘Our focus on PFAS in fish tissue and the resulting consumption advisory is another step forward in understanding, communicating, and reducing the potential for harm.’ Maryland to resume use of pesticide after EPA testing doesn’t detect PFAS

For Piscataway Creek, a Potomac River tributary, the Maryland Department of the Environment is recommending that adults and children eat no more than one meal per month of redbreast sunfish. Adults should have no more than three meals per month of largemouth bass from the creek, and children should eat no more than two meals per month with the fish. Finally, children should eat no more than seven meals per month of yellow bullhead catfish from the creek.”…

This content provided by the PFAS Project.