The researchers studied fish from northern Illinois rivers because of their proximity to urban and industrial areas. The fish were in the Pecatonica River, Sugar River, Rock River, and Yellow Creek.
Tissue samples were collected from nine species, including bluegill, northern pike, common carp, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye.
The scientists analyzed the tissues for 17 PFAS. The chemicals were present in fish from each test site.
Levels of contamination were highest in fish at the top of the food chain, such as channel catfish and northern pike, and lowest in plant eaters like bluegill.
The findings are concerning for people who live nearby or eat fish from these sites. Industrial emissions and runoff can lead to further contamination.
Plus, sport fishing is extremely popular in Illinois, with over 666,000 fishing licenses issued across the state in 2020.
“Further studies are warranted to comprehensively evaluate the occurrence and sources of PFAS throughout the state of Illinois,” wrote the researchers.
“Such information is crucial to better understand the distribution and potential risks of these compounds to the environment.”
The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
