Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Measurements in Tampa Bay Fish and Sediments Provide an Understanding of Potential Human Exposure
Scientists provide an understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in sediments and the edible portions of fish within Florida’s Tampa Bay in a pilot study designed to understand the potential for human exposure and health risks through fish consumption.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are widely used for many applications (toothpaste, fire retardants, stain resistant clothes, and carpets); persistent; environmentally stable; and have been detected in all environmental media (air, water, soil), wildlife, food items, and humans. The primary source of chronic exposure to PFASs in humans is through the ingestion of contaminated foods and drinking water, with fish and other seafood being a contributor; however, there is little information on the dietary exposure to PFASs through fish consumption for the general United States population.
To fill those gaps, scientists initiated a pilot study to measure PFASs in bottom sediments and the edible portion of fishes collected from Tampa Bay, Florida, and put the fish tissue levels into context with existing consumption guidelines to estimate potential human-health exposure from fish consumption.
Tampa Bay is a large open-water estuary inhabited by more than 200 fish species and is considered a prime recreational and commercial fishing destination. There are various potential PFAS sources surrounding the Tampa Bay region including military installations, airports, and wastewater treatment plants. The information from this pilot study was designed to provide resource managers and public-health experts with an understanding of potential risks from fish consumption.
Scientists collected fish (140 samples for 24 species) and sediment (17 samples) throughout Tampa Bay during 2020 and 2021 and analyzed for PFAS compounds. The concentrations of PFASs with existing concentration thresholds for minimum risk levels (MRLs) and tolerable weekly intake (TWIs) values and with detectable levels in fish tissues were used to estimate chronic and subchronic human-health risks from seafood consumption in Tampa Bay.
PFASs can move through the environment and through food chains to organisms including fish that are consumed by humans. For more information connect to the Science Team.
Image created by Jacqueline Olsen
Total PFAS concentrations detected in sediments and fish varied spatially throughout the bay were generally dominated by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The composition of PFASs detected in sediment indicates the presence of local contamination sources in the bay (for example, wastewater treatment plant, runoff from contaminated surfaces at military installations, airports, and so forth) rather than atmospheric sources. Total PFAS concentrations in fish exceeded available concentration thresholds for MRLs and TWIs values for adults and youths.
This study was initiated as a pilot-level survey to understand the scale and extent of PFASs in sediments and across a range of fish species and to relate that information to available thresholds applicable to human health. The results of this study point toward the need for a better understanding of PFAS sources and factors related to the bioaccumulation of PFASs in multiple fish species to aid in interpretation of health risks for wildlife and humans and provide steps forward to reduce exposure.
This study was funded by Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (Grant #12394, Award 2500-1775).
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Scientists provide an understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in sediments and the edible portions of fish within Florida’s Tampa Bay in a pilot study designed to understand the potential for human exposure and health risks through fish consumption.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are widely used for many applications (toothpaste, fire retardants, stain resistant clothes, and carpets); persistent; environmentally stable; and have been detected in all environmental media (air, water, soil), wildlife, food items, and humans. The primary source of chronic exposure to PFASs in humans is through the ingestion of contaminated foods and drinking water, with fish and other seafood being a contributor; however, there is little information on the dietary exposure to PFASs through fish consumption for the general United States population.
To fill those gaps, scientists initiated a pilot study to measure PFASs in bottom sediments and the edible portion of fishes collected from Tampa Bay, Florida, and put the fish tissue levels into context with existing consumption guidelines to estimate potential human-health exposure from fish consumption.
Tampa Bay is a large open-water estuary inhabited by more than 200 fish species and is considered a prime recreational and commercial fishing destination. There are various potential PFAS sources surrounding the Tampa Bay region including military installations, airports, and wastewater treatment plants. The information from this pilot study was designed to provide resource managers and public-health experts with an understanding of potential risks from fish consumption.
Scientists collected fish (140 samples for 24 species) and sediment (17 samples) throughout Tampa Bay during 2020 and 2021 and analyzed for PFAS compounds. The concentrations of PFASs with existing concentration thresholds for minimum risk levels (MRLs) and tolerable weekly intake (TWIs) values and with detectable levels in fish tissues were used to estimate chronic and subchronic human-health risks from seafood consumption in Tampa Bay.
PFASs can move through the environment and through food chains to organisms including fish that are consumed by humans. For more information connect to the Science Team.
Image created by Jacqueline Olsen
Total PFAS concentrations detected in sediments and fish varied spatially throughout the bay were generally dominated by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The composition of PFASs detected in sediment indicates the presence of local contamination sources in the bay (for example, wastewater treatment plant, runoff from contaminated surfaces at military installations, airports, and so forth) rather than atmospheric sources. Total PFAS concentrations in fish exceeded available concentration thresholds for MRLs and TWIs values for adults and youths.
This study was initiated as a pilot-level survey to understand the scale and extent of PFASs in sediments and across a range of fish species and to relate that information to available thresholds applicable to human health. The results of this study point toward the need for a better understanding of PFAS sources and factors related to the bioaccumulation of PFASs in multiple fish species to aid in interpretation of health risks for wildlife and humans and provide steps forward to reduce exposure.
This study was funded by Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (Grant #12394, Award 2500-1775).
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) science