High PFAS levels found in fish at Massachusetts state parks, people warned to not eat fish

High levels of harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected in fish at 13 state parks, according to health officials who are warning people to not eat fish from certain bodies of water in the region.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued new fish consumption advisories for people who catch and consume freshwater fish from the popular 13 state parks run by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

During recent testing of recreational waterbodies, elevated levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were found 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 levels in the fish were higher than DPH-recommended levels for regular 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 said in a statement.

These recommendations vary depending on the levels of PFAS found in the fish, other contaminants that have been evaluated in the past, and who might consume the fish. The state has warnings for sensitive populations (including children under 12, people who are or may become pregnant, and nursing people), and for all other people in the general population.

DPH also sampled surface water at these locations, and PFAS was not found at levels that would be unsafe for swimming or any other recreational activities.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals manufactured and used in a variety of consumer products 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 said.

“In addition, PFAS exposure has been shown to cause developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy,” the state agency 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 beaches — including Carson, Constitution, Savin Hill and Tenean beaches in Boston Harbor, Revere Beach in Broad Sound, Kings Beach in Nahant Bay, and Wollaston Beach in Quincy Bay — showed that these beaches are safe for swimming.

DPH fish consumption advice applies to the consumption of all native game fish, but do not apply to stocked trout at a waterbody. Stocked fish are raised in fish hatcheries and then released. As a result, they are unlikely to spend enough time in a lake or pond to become contaminated.

The state’s freshwater fish consumption advisory lookup table for different waterbodies can be found at www.mass.gov/info-details/freshwater-fish-consumption-advisory-lookup-table.