PFAS found in nearly all fish tested from four northern Illinois rivers
Scientists tested nine species of fish from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They found PFAS-contaminated fish in every one of their 15 test sites. Elevated levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS compound, were detected in nearly all the fish tested.
The findings are reported in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
Joseph Irudayaraj, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, led the study. He explained that the durability and stability of PFAS make them problematic in the environment and hazardous to human and animal health.
The researchers found elevated levels of PFOS in nearly all the fish tested from four rivers: Pecatonica River, Rock River, Sugar River, and Yellow Creek. The fish represented different levels of the food chain, from plant-eaters to predators that feed on other fish.
PFAS were detected in every sampling site, with the highest concentrations found in channel catfish, a predator at the top of the food chain. The lowest concentrations were found in plant-eating fish like bluegill.
The study highlights the widespread contamination of fish and waterways with PFAS. Further research is needed to understand the distribution and potential risks of these compounds to the environment.
Note: This summary retains all important information from the original text while simplifying it for easier reading.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-07-pfas-fish-northern-illinois-rivers.html