Especially the Grills Preserve Pond in Bradford
RIDOH is issuing the following fish consumption
recommendations to protect public health:
- Do not eat any fish caught from the Grills Preserve Pond.
- Eat no more than 1 meal per month of native fish (i.e.,
perch, bass, and pickerel) caught from the Pawcatuck River downstream of
Burdickville Road in Hopkinton.
- Since PFAS tend to accumulate more in organs compared to
muscle tissue, do not eat the organs of fish caught from the Pawcatuck River
downstream of Burdickville Road in Hopkinton.
- RIDOH does not currently have the data needed to make a
health-based recommendation on the safety of consuming stocked trout in this
section of the Pawcatuck River. Individuals concerned about PFAS should know
that these species can accumulate PFAS. People can be exposed to PFAS from a
variety of sources and can lower their intake from one or more sources by
limiting or replacing them.
EDITOR'S NOTE: While the hazards associated with PFAS contamination become better known, the Musk-Trump administration are cancelling federal efforts to better assess those risks and their sources. Even though what you know (or don't know) can hurt you, the Trump regime thinks you're better off not knowing. - Will Collette.
Stocked trout were not collected in this study, so RIDOH does not have data to show how much PFAS they contain. Generally, research shows that fish take up PFAS quickly from the environment. Stocked trout are raised in a separate location and do not spend as much time in the river. Right now, there is not enough data about how fast PFAS levels increase in stocked trout.
For stocked trout in the Pawcatuck River, RIDOH cannot determine if PFAS
will reach levels of concern before they are fished. RIDOH is currently working
with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to get
better data on whether PFAS reaches levels of concern in stocked trout. RIDEM
has also changed the stocking schedule so that PFAS in stocked trout are less
likely to reach levels of concern.
"Fishing is a valued tradition in Rhode Island, and
fish are a good source of protein and nutrients. However, fish in some areas
can have high levels of pollutants that can harm our health," said
Director of Health Jerome Larkin, MD. "While we are still learning about
the sources and effects of PFAS, it is important to take steps to lower our
exposure to these chemicals. After careful consideration of the data and health
risks, we are recommending that people eat only one meal per month of native
fish (i.e., perch, bass, and pickerel) caught from the Pawcatuck River
downstream Burdickville Road in Hopkinton."
RIDOH has posted signs at the Grills Preserve Pond advising
people not to eat the fish. RIDOH is planning to post signs at popular fishing
spots along the Pawcatuck River in the area of the advisory. The Department is
also planning two public meetings to discuss the findings, hear community
concerns and input, and provide guidance on reducing exposure risks. The
community meetings will be scheduled in spring 2025. Sign up to be notified
when the meetings are scheduled at health.ri.gov/fish.
About PFAS: PFAS are a class of chemicals that repel oil and
water. They have been used since the 1940s to make products water-, grease-,
and stain-resistant and in certain fire-fighting products. Some PFAS take
centuries to break down in the environment. PFAS that don't break down build up
in and pollute the environment. PFAS can also build up in our bodies. People
can be exposed to PFAS by eating food, drinking water, accidentally swallowing
dust, or breathing air polluted with PFAS.
Studies have shown certain PFAS can contribute to negative
health effects, including: higher cholesterol levels; lower infant birth
weights; weakened immune response; and increased risk of some cancer, including
kidney cancer.
More Details About the Advisory and Data: RIDOH is making
these recommendations based on the known health risks of PFAS and data on PFAS
in fish that is available today. RIDOH, the Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management, researchers from Roger Williams University, and the
Environmental Protection Agency recently worked together to test several fish
species that are native to the Pawcatuck River and Grills Preserve Pond for
PFAS. The fish tested included sunfish, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel.
Fish caught from the Grills Preserve Pond had very high
levels of PFAS that could increase the risk of health effects. Based on the
level of PFAS, RIDOH advises the public not to eat fish from the Grills
Preserve Pond.
Fish were collected from the Pawcatuck River in the area of
the former Bradford Dyeing Association facility also had high levels of PFAS.
However, levels of PFAS were lower in fish from the Pawcatuck River than the
Grills Preserve Pond. Therefore, RIDOH advises the public to eat only one
native fish meal per month from the Pawcatuck River downstream of Burdickville
Road in Hopkinton. Upstream of this point, RIDOH does not have data to make a
recommendation on the amount of fish that is safe to eat.
Currently, there is no data on how quickly stocked trout in the Pawcatuck River accumulate PFAS from the river. There is limited data from other states and scientific studies that shows stocked trout can accumulate PFAS quickly.
However, studies on this topic have used conditions that are not reflective of conditions in the Pawcatuck River. RIDOH may change this guidance if data show that stocked trout in the Pawcatuck River do accumulate PFAS to levels that cause health concerns.
Similarly, RIDOH does not have the data needed to make a health-based recommendation on the safety of eating wild game and bird species near Bradford Dyeing Association. People concerned about PFAS should know that these species (e.g., stocked trout and game birds) can accumulate PFAS.
People can be exposed to PFAS from a variety of sources. You
can lower your exposure to PFAS by limiting or replacing common sources of
PFAS. PFAS is common in many products like grease-resistant food packaging,
non-stick pots and pans, and stain-resistant carpeting.
For more information about fish consumption guidance, visit
health.ri.gov/fish or contact the RIDOH Health Information Line at
401-222-5960. The full health consultation report and addendum on stocked trout
are available on the RIDOH website at health.ri.gov/ehrap. For more information
on PFAS and health risks, visit health.ri.gov/pfas.
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