PFAS contamination found in 28 Maine bodies of water

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says more bodies of water in the state have been contaminated by what are known as “forever chemicals,” leading to new warnings about eating fish caught in those areas.

The Maine CDC issued an updated advisory on Monday for freshwater fish consumption.

The Maine CDC found perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 28 bodies of water that were above the recommended levels for regular consumption, bringing the total number of PFAS advisories to 29 in Maine.

Elevated levels of the PFAS chemical were detected in fish tissue samples from Sandy Stream in Freedom, Knox, and Unity and in Sebasticook River in Winslow.

Consumption advisories include three areas of the Sandy Stream Pond. The CDC advises not to eat any fish caught in the Sandy Stream from Stevens Road in Unity to the confluence with Halfmoon Stream, with more limited advisories for other parts of the stream.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals found in a variety of consumer products throughout the world. As described in a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, exposure to certain PFAS chemicals has been associated with changes in liver and kidney function, changes in cholesterol levels, decreased immune response to vaccines in children, complications during pregnancy, increased risk of kidney cancer and possibly testicular cancer.

“Before heading out to go fishing, anglers should take a few minutes to review advisories in place for their favorite fishing spots so they can make good decisions about eating the fish they catch,” said Maine CDC Director Dr. Puthiery Va.

Officials say fishing in specific waterbodies remains a safe activity, in accordance with the consumption advisories, along with other recreational activities such as swimming, wading and boating.

“This revised advisory list of 28 waters provides Maine’s 380,000 anglers information they can utilize when they choose to keep their catch and have a meal of freshwater fish,” said Tim Peabody, acting commissioner at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

All fish consumption advisories are listed on the Maine CDC’s website.