The Scourge of “Forever Chemicals” Q A

“Forever chemicals” are a very serious, world-wide problem, the importance of which is just beginning to be recognized. I will not try to provide a potential solution for this emerging problem, but can offer a few bits of advice for anglers. However, all of us should realize that the problems caused by PFAS substances (forever chemicals) extend far beyond fishing and fishers.

Per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are organic compounds that have been used for a variety of purposes for the last 80 years— mostly as surfactants. Uses include coating non-stick cookware, food packaging, water resistant clothing, stain resistant carpets and furniture, cosmetics, protective coatings, and firefighting foams. The wide variety of uses and their virtually nondestructive nature of PFAS, results in them being spread, and accumulating, everywhere on Planet Earth. The qualities that make them valuable for human uses unfortunately make them accumulate in strong concentrations in the water, soils, plants, and animals of our planet. Only recently have the negative effects of PFAS on humans started to be realized. PFAS may be wonderful, but they are a “mixed blessing” with serious side effects.

Human experiences with pollutants, whether air, water, or soil have primarily been “point sources” where the source is visible, and the primary effects are immediately detectablesuch as a discharge pipe, a surface flow, or a smokestack. PFAS discharges are different. They remain blended into the air, water, or soil, and are only detected through careful sampling and laboratory analyses. The harmful effects of PFAS substances have been slow to be identified and often confused with other possible causes. Recently PFAS substances have been linked to such health problems as liver, kidney, and testicular cancer. Other health issues related to PFAS substances include lower birth weights, increased risk of asthma, infertility, thyroid disease, and miscarriage, plus several others.

Recent testing has revealed that PFAS substances are present everywhere, with the possible exception of Antarctica. Fish and other aquatic animals have accumulated easily detected concentrations, especially in areas close to concentrated human populations and human activities, including agriculture. Contaminated water, soil, and air conditions vary in concentrations, but the fact that the contaminants are invisible and most of their effects are not obvious has hidden from the public the problems that they cause.

An angler fishing in a stream or lake where the water and the fish are contaminated with “forever chemicals” may not realize the potential problems. Fish carrying substantial concentrations of PFAS generally will not show obvious signs of the chemicals and will behave as relatively normal animals. An angler practicing “catch and release” probably would not be in any danger for subsequent health problems. “Catch and consume” is a different story. Health experts are advising against consumption of fish from most inland waters. Fish from ocean waters or cold spring flows at high elevations have demonstrated lower levels of contamination.

Looking forward, “forever chemicals” will probably be a problem for consumers of freshwater fish for the foreseeable future. Insecticides, such as DDT that were used widely in post World War II years, continued to contaminate waters long after their use was banned. A former colleague of mine found DDT in the runoff from Iowa cornfields following thunderstorms for 15 years after the use of DDT stopped. The PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have far slower rates of chemical degradation. They will be contaminating our air, water, soils (and fish) for the foreseeable future.

Anglers do not need to abandon their sport. With carefully exercised selections, consumption of fish from sources that have been tested may be acceptable. Catch and release is the recommended answer for trout anglers for the foreseeable future.

About The Author

John Nickum, is a retired PhD. fishery biologist whose career has included positions as professor at research universities including Iowa State and Cornell University, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s fisheries research facility in Bozeman, MT, and science officer for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region. He was inducted into the National Fish Culture Hall of Fame in 2008.