A recent study from Dartmouth has found that New Englanders, known for their love of seafood, may be at a higher risk for exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The study, which specifically focused on people in New Hampshire, revealed a potential link between higher consumption of seafood and increased PFAS exposure.
The researchers analyzed PFAS concentrations in fresh seafood and conducted a statewide survey of eating habits in New Hampshire. National nutrition surveys have consistently shown that New Hampshire, along with the entire New England region, ranks among the top consumers of seafood in the United States. This cultural preference for fish, combined with the presence of PFAS pollution, has raised concerns about the extent of people’s exposure to PFAS through marine seafood.
Megan Romano, the corresponding author and associate professor of epidemiology at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, emphasized the significance of the findings. She stressed the importance of understanding the risk-benefit trade-off for seafood consumption, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals and children. Romano also advocated for setting PFAS limits on seafood rather than discontinuing its consumption.
Jonathan Petali, a toxicologist with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, highlighted the state’s proactive approach to addressing PFAS concerns. New Hampshire was among the first states to identify PFAS in drinking water, and Petali emphasized the state’s efforts in investigating the impacts of PFAS and mitigating exposure.
The study measured the levels of 26 varieties of PFAS in samples of commonly consumed marine species, including cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallop, shrimp, and tuna. The seafood samples were purchased fresh from a coastal market in New Hampshire, providing valuable insights into the potential risks associated with seafood consumption in the region.
These findings underscore the need for further research and potential regulatory measures to address PFAS exposure through seafood consumption, particularly in regions with a strong cultural tradition of seafood consumption like New England.
