Does eating a lot of seafood increase the risk of permanent chemical exposure?

A new US study found worrying levels of the permanent chemical PFAS in many types of seafood .

Research led by the Dartmouth Institute, New Hampshire, USA, shows that people who regularly eat seafood may face an increased risk of exposure to permanent chemicals - PFAS.

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of man-made toxins commonly found in consumer products such as plastics and nonstick coatings.

Salmon and other seafood have many benefits, but can increase people's risk of exposure to PFAS chemicals if eaten in excess - (Photo: Simply Recipes/Ciara Kehoe).

Their molecular stability makes PFAS nearly indestructible, leading to them being called "forever chemicals."

PFAS have been linked to cancer, birth defects, high cholesterol, thyroid, liver and reproductive disorders.

In humans, PFAS have been linked to cancer, birth defects, high cholesterol, thyroid, liver and reproductive disorders.

These chemicals accumulate in soil, water and wildlife, and studies have shown that nearly all Americans have measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood.

National data indicate that New Hampshire - along with New England - is one of the country's top consumers of seafood, so the researchers chose to study human exposure there. exposure to PFAS through fish and shellfish.

Researchers measured concentrations of 26 different types of PFAS in samples of the most commonly consumed seafood: cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallops, shrimp and tuna.

They found that shrimp and lobster had the highest concentrations of PFAS, averaging between 1.74 and 3.30 nanograms per gram of meat. In other fish and seafood species, this number is less than 1 nanogram.

The research team also conducted a survey of 1,829 New Hampshire residents to assess the level of seafood consumption here. The results found that men in New Hampshire ate an average of more than 1 ounce (28.3 grams) of seafood per day and women ate nearly 1 ounce. This figure is 1.5 times higher than the national average.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire children ages 2 - 11 years old eat about 0.2 ounces (5.7 grams) of seafood a day, the highest level compared to children nationwide.

In the journal Exposure and Health , researchers say the findings highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines that establish how much seafood people can safely eat to Limit exposure to PFAS.

"Our study does not recommend that people stop eating seafood, as it is an excellent source of lean protein and omega fatty acids. But it is also a likely source of PFAS exposure in humans that we are underestimating, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children ," said Dr. Megan Romano, associate professor of epidemiology at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine.

Kathryn Crawford, assistant professor of environmental studies at Middlebury College and lead author of the study, added: " People who eat a balanced diet with moderate amounts of seafood will typically be able to enjoy these benefits." health benefits of seafood without the risk of excessive PFAS exposure."