Connecticut Department of Public Health issues consumption advisories for certain fish species in 11 waterbodies in Connecticut
East Hartford, CT - The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued new or modified consumption advisories for certain fish species caught in several waterbodies in Connecticut. DPH is taking this action in close coordination with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Upon evaluating perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in fish tissue sampled in 2017-2022 from 14 waterbodies using DPH’s recently derived PFOS health risk values, DPH has updated or issued new consumption advisories in 11 waterbodies as shown in the table below. These updated consumption advisories are for the general population and are also protective of sensitive populations.
New or modified consumption advisories are issued for the following rivers: Connecticut, Lower Farmington, Housatonic (near O’Sullivan’s Island in Derby), Natchaug, Willimantic, Shetucket, Naugatuck, Pequabuck, Still (Winchester), Scantic, and Quinnipiac.
“These consumption advisories are necessary to protect public health while allowing for community members to benefit from the nutritional benefits of eating fish,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “PFOS is one of a group of related chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This group of chemicals is commonly used in a wide range of industrial processes and is found in many consumer products. Long-term exposure to PFAS may be associated with increased levels of cholesterol and liver enzymes, a change in immune response, developmental effects, increased chance of high blood pressure and/or increased chance of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and an increased chance of thyroid disease.”
Commissioner Juthani added that it was not necessary to modify the current advisories for the Hockanum,Tankerhoosen, and the Upper Housatonic Rivers. Additionally, there are no new or existing advisories in place for the Quinebaug River other than the statewide freshwater advisory described below. Working closely with DEEP—whose fisheries staff have expertise and knowledge of the rivers and fisheries habitat—both state agencies have determined the locations where the fish advisories will apply.
Freshwater fish: The advice for freshwater fish caught in Connecticut for pregnant women, women who could become pregnant, and children under 6 years old (high risk groups) is to eat no more than one meal per month. For all other groups, the advice is to eat no more than one meal per week of freshwater fish. This statewide advice is due to mercury contamination found in Connecticut freshwater fish. This statewide advisory does not apply to sunfish or trout as there are no consumption limits for these fish species, except otherwise noted.
Additional information on DPH fish consumption advisories can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/fish or by calling a DPH staff person at 1-877-458-FISH (3474). More information on PFAS can be found at here.
