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WTF! Eating Freshwater fish equal to drinking a month's worth of water laced with PFOS


crash_davis

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It sure is a good thing that industry lobbyists successfully killed a bill last year that would have set a health-conscious PFAS limit and provided enforcement mechanisms. I just know that the American consumer will be protected and that they'll have sufficient recourse against the corporations profiting off of literally poisoning them

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On 3/2/2024 at 11:55 AM, Jkwellborn said:


I work with a guy that won’t eat catfish because it’s dirty but loves tilapia.

Yes. The wild freshwater catfish in general has been unfairly maligned, no doubt due to its association with farm raised and saltwater (hard head) varieties.

It has also gotten a reputation as a bottom trash feeder, due to its opportunistic and versatile ability to not be too picky in a pinch and feed on dead bait, but make no mistake, the humble catfish is one of the most aggressive live bait predators in the river or lake.

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44 minutes ago, Jiggy-Z said:

Yes. The wild freshwater catfish in general has been unfairly maligned, no doubt due to its association with farm raised and saltwater (hard head) varieties.

It has also gotten a reputation as a bottom trash feeder, due to its opportunistic and versatile ability to not be too picky in a pinch and feed on dead bait, but make no mistake, the humble catfish is one of the most aggressive live bait predators in the river or lake.

Being an aggressive predator also means that they will be a point of concentration for any pollutants that have been consumed by its prey. We saw it with DEET, and how the birds eating the bugs that it killed ended up having eggs with soft shells and sickly offspring. 

I wonder how one would go about submitting store bought catfish and tilapia to test for PFAS. It wouldn't shock me if it were off the scale

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Yes. The wild freshwater catfish in general has been unfairly maligned, no doubt due to its association with farm raised and saltwater (hard head) varieties.
It has also gotten a reputation as a bottom trash feeder, due to its opportunistic and versatile ability to not be too picky in a pinch and feed on dead bait, but make no mistake, the humble catfish is one of the most aggressive live bait predators in the river or lake.

Catfish will eat anything. I’m a fan of Sulphur River cats though.
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1 hour ago, Jiggy-Z said:

Yes. The wild freshwater catfish in general has been unfairly maligned, no doubt due to its association with farm raised and saltwater (hard head) varieties.

It has also gotten a reputation as a bottom trash feeder, due to its opportunistic and versatile ability to not be too picky in a pinch and feed on dead bait, but make no mistake, the humble catfish is one of the most aggressive live bait predators in the river or lake.

Thanks, Marlon Perkins! (I read that in his voice)

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49 minutes ago, Captainant said:

Being an aggressive predator also means that they will be a point of concentration for any pollutants that have been consumed by its prey. We saw it with DEET, and how the birds eating the bugs that it killed ended up having eggs with soft shells and sickly offspring. 

I wonder how one would go about submitting store bought catfish and tilapia to test for PFAS. It wouldn't shock me if it were off the scale

All true. I was addressing it's quality as table fair had it not been polluted.

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On 1/18/2023 at 11:12 AM, crash_davis said:

Not sure WTF this all means other than we eating and drinking our own manufacturing shit chemicals. Study was conducted around Great Lakes region. I don't know what PFAS do to your body but I guess nothing good?

 

Article: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/976367

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935122024926#fig1

EWG study: Eating one freshwater fish equals a month of drinking ‘forever chemicals’ water

PFAS found at high levels in freshwater fish, with most concern for vulnerable communities

Peer-Reviewed Publication

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP

WASHINGTON – A new study by Environmental Working Group scientists finds that consumption of just a single serving of freshwater fish per year could be equal to a month of drinking water laced with the “forever chemical” PFOS at high levels that may be harmful.

Researchers calculated that eating one fish in a year equated to ingesting water with PFOS at 48 parts per trillion, or ppt, for one month.


The study bolsters EWG’s long-running calls for strict regulation of PFOS and the other toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, in addition to more tests of food such as fish, since diet is thought to be a major source of PFAS exposure for Americans.

EWG found the median amounts of PFAS in freshwater fish were an astounding 280 times greater than forever chemicals detected in some commercially caught and sold fish. The testing data, from the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration, showed that consuming a single meal of freshwater fish could lead to similar PFAS exposure as ingesting store-bought fish every day for a year.


“People who consume freshwater fish, especially those who catch and eat fish regularly, are at risk of alarming levels of PFAS in their bodies,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., EWG senior scientist and one of the study’s lead authors. “Growing up, I went fishing every week and ate those fish. But now when I see fish, all I think about is PFAS contamination.”


The forever chemical found at greatest concentrations in freshwater fish was PFOS, formerly an ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard, averaging roughly three in four of total PFAS detections. 

Consumption of PFOS-contaminated freshwater fish can cause significant increases in peoples’ blood serum levels of the forever chemical, creating potential health risks. Even infrequent consumption of freshwater fish can raise PFOS levels in the body.

PFOS is a chemical in the PFAS family.

 

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) is a synthetic chemical used to make products resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water. PFOS is part of a class of chemicals called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

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On 3/1/2024 at 10:37 AM, Captainant said:

Holy shit I had no idea Topo had such a high level of PFAS in it. I think them taking care of it was in response to the new EPA legal limit that set it at 4 parts per trillion. The EPA does have non-enforceable “advisory health limits” of 0.02 ppt and 0.004 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, respectively so I'd say there's a way to go

Me neither.  JFC, I drink that shit like, well, water. 

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12 hours ago, Captainant said:

Being an aggressive predator also means that they will be a point of concentration for any pollutants that have been consumed by its prey. We saw it with DEET, and how the birds eating the bugs that it killed ended up having eggs with soft shells and sickly offspring. 

I wonder how one would go about submitting store bought catfish and tilapia to test for PFAS. It wouldn't shock me if it were off the scale

trophic amplification.  Great that we have words for this right?

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On 1/23/2023 at 9:43 AM, WhatTheBuck said:

Maybe we should stop using those chemicals. 

I'm sure they improve one or more corporations monthly earnings call, so I'm sorry, there's simply nothing that can be done.

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 3/4/2024 at 6:02 AM, Captainant said:

We saw it with DEET, and how the birds eating the bugs that it killed ended up having eggs with soft shells and sickly offspring.

Did you mean to say DDT, the pesticide that was banned in 1972?

DEET is the active chemical in most bug repellants, like OFF!

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Posted (edited)

Reverse osmosis filtration systems by are very common in homes in my area. I can’t recall seeing one in a home in Texas.

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2023/07/ewg-tests-find-four-water-filters-effectively-remove-forever

 

Quote

The best way to filter PFAS from your water is an in-home reverse osmosis filter under your sink or at your tap, but the cost of this kind of system puts them out of reach for some.

They aren’t that expensive, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the used filters end up in a landfill near you (and me).

Note:  The R.O. filtration system lowered the ph of our water because it removed minerals used to balance the ph. We then had a corosex filter installed to add magnesia to the water to raise the ph back to neutral. It costs about $120 a year to maintain.

Edited by ImissWallyPryor
Added note.
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My company recently did a pilot using mild detergent to bind to PFAS/PFOS compounds. They then aerate it and remove the foam. It's relatively cheap and simple. The removal rate was around 99%. The "It's too expensive" excuse is kind of horseshit.

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3 hours ago, ImissWallyPryor said:

Reverse osmosis filtration systems by are very common in homes in my area. I can’t recall seeing one in home in Texas.

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2023/07/ewg-tests-find-four-water-filters-effectively-remove-forever

 

They aren’t that expensive, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the used filters end up in a landfill near you (and me).

Great suggestion.

Be sure to check the efficiency of the process too. We has an Aquasona we no longer use that wastes something like 3-4 gallons for every clean one. 

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Posted (edited)
On 1/20/2023 at 9:34 PM, dcbc said:

Apparently, some sparkling water has relatively not so great levels of PFAS in it. 

Good thing I added a lot of vodka to the HEB sparkling water I’m drinking right now

healthy ray j GIF by MTV Cribs

 

Edited by B00M
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  • 2 weeks later...

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/epa-limits-pfas-chemicals-drinking-water-first-time-rcna147000

The EPA announced Wednesday that levels of PFOA and PFOS — two types of PFAS commonly used in nonstick or stain-resistant products such as food packaging and firefighting foam — can’t exceed 4 parts per trillion in public drinking water. 

Three additional PFAS chemicals will be restricted to 10 parts per trillion. They are PFNA and PFHxS — older versions of PFAS — and GenX chemicals, a newer generation of chemicals created as a replacement for PFOA.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Love that ocean spray on the beach? It's probably full of PFAS. 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/19/ocean-spray-pfas-study

Ocean waves crashing on the world’s shores emit more PFAS into the air than the world’s industrial polluters, new research has found, raising concerns about environmental contamination and human exposure along coastlines.

The study measured levels of PFAS released from the bubbles that burst when waves crash, spraying aerosols into the air. It found sea spray levels were hundreds of thousands times higher than levels in the water.

The contaminated spray likely affects groundwater, surface water, vegetation, and agricultural products near coastlines that are far from industrial sources of PFAS, said Ian Cousins, a Stockholm University researcher and the study’s lead author.

“There is evidence that the ocean can be an important source [of PFAS air emissions],” Cousins said. “It is definitely impacting the coastline.”

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I absolutely love living in a place where our government can’t protect us from harmful chemicals released by publicly traded companies into our water supply, but they can protect us from internet porn. I feel super safe knowing they have my best interests at heart and that our children will grow up healthy. Yay America!

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On 1/19/2023 at 5:27 PM, Knoxtnhorn said:

So I live in a suburb of Dallas, Rowlett.  There's a nasty-ass river that somewhat divides Rowlett from Garland.  At any given time, there are 10+ vehicles parked along 66 due to folks fishing.  They're not releasing.  I mean, Lake Ray Hubbard is bad enough.  I don't understand how anyone can even think about eating anything from either of these locations.

@TwiceHorn can confirm.  :)

There's Mills Branch Creek and Bradfield Creek that both feed into Rowlett Creek and ultimately Ray Hubbard.

For those unfamiliar with these lovely creeks, Bradfield basically starts as run off from industrial:

Screenshot_20240420_213000_Maps.thumb.jpg.90139780a4d6526e27adba25ce891770.jpgScreenshot_20240420_213043_Maps.thumb.jpg.5bf02d8ea4529de34a2eabbd5ea60e5a.jpg

Then beautiful Mills Branch starts at industrial and consumer recycling plants:

Screenshot_20240420_213247_Maps.thumb.jpg.0de62264ef533507662ef93c5254146b.jpgScreenshot_20240420_213215_Maps.thumb.jpg.7c5814c526380594c96f8d8c0ae89713.jpg

They come meet Rowlett Creek just south of 66 which is great for parking:

Screenshot_20240420_213348_Maps.thumb.jpg.462a18635d8c4fa31249f7332bbb97ac.jpg

And you can see the lovely lake action of Ray Hubbard:

Screenshot_20240420_213530_Maps.thumb.jpg.ec52af60bacd0cd2fd39eabe6b3c9a6d.jpgScreenshot_20240420_213620_Maps.thumb.jpg.c4d163dc868106c812314461a2d597f5.jpg

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43 minutes ago, wild_turkey said:

I absolutely love living in a place where our government can’t protect us from harmful chemicals released by publicly traded companies into our water supply, but they can protect us from internet porn. I feel super safe knowing they have my best interests at heart and that our children will grow up healthy. Yay America!

You seem like a communist. They are always thinking of the children. I've illustrated above how amazing the fishing scene is in the middle of Dallas suburbs. Take your family, take a picnic, make it a day of fun and fishing on the Rowlett River while completely free of porn.

Why do you hate Amurica?

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Can we update the thread to "Texas tap water laced with PFAS/PFOS"?

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/16/texas-pfas-forever-chemicals-public-water-systems-epa-limit/

In Texas, 49 public water utility systems have reported surpassing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever limits for five “forever chemicals” in drinking water, according to data submitted to the federal agency.

Experts say there are likely more since not all water systems have submitted their data.

...

Texas water utilities that have reported one or more PFAS chemical exceeding the new federal standard:

Spoiler
  •  
  • Abilene Northeast and Grimes Water Treatment Plant
  • Town of Anthony
  • Arlington Pierce Burch Water Treatment Plant
  • Baytown Area Water Authority
  • Big Springs Water Plant
  • Clear Lake Water Authority
  • Childress Water Plant
  • Cockrell Hill Water Plant
  • Coupland: Manville Water Supply Corporation
  • Dallas Water Utility Eula Water Supply Cooperation in Clyde
  • Deer Park Surface Water Treatment Plant
  • Duncanville Water Treatment Plant
  • Edinburg Wastewater Plant
  • City of Farmers Branch
  • Town of Flower Mound Wastewater Treatment
  • Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 133
  • Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 41
  • Fort Worth North and South Holly Water Treatment Plant
  • Gastonia Scurry Special Utility District
  • Georgetown San Gabriel Park Water Treatment Plant
  • Grapevine Water Treatment Plant
  • Greenville Water Treatment Plant
  • Haltom City
  • Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 119
  • Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 8
  • Houston: Spencer Road Public Utility District
  • Hudson Oaks Lakeshore Plant
  • Huntsville Palm Street Water Plant
  • Irving MacArthur Pump Station
  • Katy: Big Oaks Municipal Utility District
  • Killeen: West Bell County Water Supply
  • La Feria Water Treatment Plant
  • City of Lake Worth
  • City of Livingston
  • Midland Water Purification Plant
  • Prosper Custer Pump Station
  • Port Lavaca Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Water Treatment Plant
  • San Antonio Water System Castle Hills
  • City of Seagoville
  • Seguin: Springs Hill Water Supply Corporation
  • Temple Water Treatment Plant
  • Terrell North Texas Municipal Water District
  • City of Tye
  • Weatherford Water Treatment Plant
  • West University Place Plant 1 and 2

Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and a bunch of municipal districts hit

Edited by Captainant
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Here is a really good group I found out about today while listening to a podcast regarding bottled water issues with PFAS.

https://www.ewg.org/

Side note, the podcast was Stuff You Should Know which has been around 14 years. It a great podcast and tries it's best not to go full CR. They do some but...

https://stuffyoushouldknow.com/

You can search for podcasts on that page. If you search for Bottled Water that show will come up.

Edited by BurntEyes
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