The Next Frontier on PFAS Contamination, Sediment, Surface Water and Fish Tissue

PFAS are a class of synthetic fluorinated chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, including defense-related applications. They are persistent, found at low levels in the environment, and bio-accumulate. Studies have shown these compounds being detected more often in surface water, sediments and/or bioaccumulated into fish tissue. Because of greater affinity of longer chain PFAS compounds for fish than other environmental matrices, certain compounds are often found in fish tissue, but not in the water or sediment. More generally, PFAS is the compound that has generated the most concern in fish due to its frequent occurrence in the environment, its bioaccumulation in fish tissue, its potential human health risk, and the availability of health effects information needed to develop fish consumption advisories. In summary, PFAS compounds are widely distributed in many bodies of waters all over US due to historic and current industrial activities, as well as the presence of military facilities. These compounds are of concern because they do not break down in the environment, bioaccumulate in humans and biota, and may pose risks to human health.Ope