The DNR and Department of Health Services have announced a new PFAS-based consumption advisory for the Bay of Green Bay and its tributaries following results of fish sampling conducted in 2020.
Elevated levels of PFOS or perfluorooctane sulfonate, a type of PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were detected in rock bass sampled from the Peshtigo River.
As a result, the DNR and DHS recommend consuming only one meal per week for rock bass from the Bay of Green Bay and its associated tributaries up to the first dam. This includes portions of the Peshtigo, Oconto and Menominee rivers.
Low levels of PFOS were found in other species sampled from the Peshtigo River and Green Bay, but results were not high enough to warrant issuing new, more restrictive advisories.
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used for decades in various products, such as non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foams that have made their way into the environment.
Health risks may increase when fish with high levels of PFAS are consumed. These can include increased cholesterol levels, decreased immune response, and decreased fertility in women, among other health effects. See more: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm
Want a complete list of up-to-date consumption advisories? See here: https://widnr.widen.net/s/lxhdnp5jtn/choosewisely
