Should You Worry About PFAS in Freshwater Fish in 2024?

A new investigation from KFF Health News found that at least 17 states have issued fish consumption advisories related to PFAS, the "forever chemicals" linked to a range of health concerns. Yet because there is no federal fish-tissue standard for PFAS, most states have never tested their waters, and residents in many places have no way of knowing whether the fish they catch are contaminated.

PFAS contamination isn't limited to lakes and rivers. It's also common in everyday products. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 10,413 products found that 48% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, including 100% of the camping tents, waterproof boots, and rain jackets we've evaluated so far. We build these scores from publicly available ingredient lists, material disclosures, and third-party certifications, not laboratory testing, so you can use our product finder to check specific items before buying, and our methodology page explains exactly how each score is calculated.

What Did KFF Health News Find?

According to KFF Health News, PFAS chemicals, used for decades in nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and industrial processes, have made their way into waterways across the country. Fish absorb these compounds through water and food, and PFAS can accumulate in their tissue over time. At least 17 states have responded by issuing consumption advisories, telling anglers to limit or avoid eating fish from specific bodies of water. But the outlet notes that many other states haven't tested for PFAS in fish at all, meaning contamination could be going undetected, and unreported.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set drinking water limits for some PFAS compounds, but as KFF Health News reports, there is still no federal standard specifically for PFAS in fish tissue. That leaves each state to decide on its own whether to test, and how to warn residents if it does.

Who Is Affected by This Gap?

Anyone who fishes for personal consumption, particularly in states without testing programs, could unknowingly be eating PFAS-contaminated fish. KFF Health News points out that subsistence anglers, low-income families, and Indigenous communities that rely on local fish as a food source may face disproportionate exposure, since they often eat fish more frequently and have fewer alternatives.

Recreational anglers in states with advisories are better off, at least in theory, because they have official guidance to consult. But the patchwork nature of the warnings means someone fishing the same river on opposite sides of a state line could receive very different information, or none at all.

Why Does This Matter for Your Health?

PFAS exposure has been associated in scientific studies with several health concerns, including changes in cholesterol levels, effects on the immune system, and increased risk of certain cancers, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the EPA. It's important to note these are associations observed in research, not proof that PFAS exposure causes any specific illness in a given individual. Still, because PFAS build up in the body over time and don't break down easily, public health agencies generally recommend minimizing unnecessary exposure where possible.

Fish is a well-known source of lean protein and heart-healthy omega-3s, so the goal isn't to stop eating fish altogether, it's to make more informed choices about where that fish comes from, especially for self-caught freshwater fish rather than fish purchased at a store, which is more likely to have been tested through commercial food-safety channels.

What Can You Do About It?

• Check for a state advisory. Search "[your state] fish consumption advisory PFAS" or visit your state environmental or health department's website before eating self-caught freshwater fish.
• Favor smaller, younger fish. PFAS and other contaminants tend to accumulate more in larger, older, predatory fish, according to state advisory guidance cited by KFF Health News.
• Trim and cook properly. Some contaminants concentrate in fatty tissue and skin; standard trimming and grilling/broiling methods (which let fat drip away) may reduce, though not eliminate, exposure to certain contaminants.
• Diversify your sources. Alternating freshwater catches with store-bought fish or fish from other waterways can help reduce cumulative exposure.
• Look beyond the water. Since PFAS also show up in outdoor gear, cookware, and rainwear, use tools like PFAS Authority's product finder to check whether the tents, boots, or jackets you already own are among the many products that disclose, or fail to disclose, PFAS treatments.

Bottom Line

Freshwater fish can be a healthy part of your diet, but PFAS contamination is a real and largely unmonitored risk in many states, according to KFF Health News' review of advisory programs. Until federal standards close the gap, checking your state's advisory list before eating self-caught fish is one of the simplest ways to lower, not eliminate, your potential exposure. The same caution applies to consumer goods, PFAS Authority's scoring of over 10,000 products shows PFAS use is still widespread, especially in wet-weather and outdoor gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my state have a PFAS fish advisory?

At least 17 states have issued PFAS-related fish consumption advisories, according to KFF Health News. Check your state health or environmental agency's website for the most current list, since testing and advisories are updated periodically.

Is it safe to eat fish I catch myself?

No fish can be flatly called "safe" or "unsafe" without local testing data; PFAS Authority describes reduced risk in terms of "lower concern" based on available information. Following your state's advisory, if one exists, and favoring smaller fish are practical ways to lower potential exposure.

Are store-bought fish tested for PFAS?

Commercial seafood generally moves through more food-safety oversight than self-caught freshwater fish, but the U.S. currently lacks a federal PFAS standard specific to fish tissue, per KFF Health News. This is an evolving regulatory area, so check for updates from the FDA and EPA over time.