Fish is on our tables every week. Despite its smell, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of fish that is often consumed because of its taste and benefits. Eating just a fraction of freshwater fish such as trout or carp may expose humans to potentially toxic chemical compounds, according to a new study.
Eating even a single serving of freshwater fish is harmful
The findings, published by Environmental Research, revealed that even a single serving of freshwater fish per year can be equivalent to a month’s worth of drinking water filled with high levels of perfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, that can be detrimental to one’s health.
INCREASES CANCER RISKS AND AFFECTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Very low doses of PFAS in drinking water have been associated with suppression of the immune system, including reduced vaccine efficacy and increased risks of certain cancers. They’re also linked to increased cholesterol and reproductive issues, among others.
CHEMICALS ARE NOT DIFFERENT IN NATURE AND ACCOUNT IN OUR BODY
This PFAS is made up of a group of more than 9,000 different chemicals—some already banned or highly restricted—that can be found in nonstick cookware and food packaging. Chemicals are not broken down in nature, so they accumulate in our body.
WHEN THE PRODUCTS ARE WASHED AND THROWED, THE CHEMICALS INSIDE ARE NOT LOST
Co-author of the study, Dr. “PFAS does not disappear when items are thrown away or washed,” said Tasha Stoiber. “Our research shows that the most common disposal methods can lead to more environmental pollution.” To conduct the research, the scientists analyzed data from more than 500 fish fillet samples collected in the United States over a two-year period from 2013 to 2015.
“CHEMICALS FOREVER”
Researchers have discovered high levels of so-called “forever chemicals” in fish caught in lakes and rivers. The persistent chemical found in the highest concentrations in freshwater fish was PFOS, or sulfonic acid, and averaged three-quarters of the total PFAS detections.