Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) updated the advisories for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — simply referred to as PFAS — in its Guide to Eating Ontario Fish.
These chemicals have been used for decades in a variety of industrial and consumer products including fire-fighting foams, non-stick pans, food packaging, and many other products due to their ability to repel water, grease, and stains. The consumption advisory benchmarks for PFAS are now approximately three times more stringent than previous ones, based on the latest scientific research.
But what does this mean for anglers that consume fish?
There is still much to be learned about the human health effects of PFAS as research is ongoing and continually being updated. The effects also depend on how much exposure there’s been and for how long, which can vary considerably from person to person. Studies suggest potential impacts could include liver effects, adverse pregnancy outcomes, immune-related issues, and some cancers. People with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, and young children are believed to be more vulnerable.
You might expect to see elevated levels of PFAS at locations like landfills, industrial sites, and places where firefighting foams have been used. From there, the chemicals can enter groundwater and surface water and may eventually work their way into the food chain. PFAS do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for long periods.
Anglers can reduce their exposure by following the fish consumption guidelines. As it stands, the recommended meals per month is zero for concentrations above 200 and 50 ng/g for the general and sensitive populations, respectively. Anglers will notice that PFAS is the primary trigger for significantly more advisories than previously listed or is listed alongside other contaminants for hundreds of additional locations.
Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Ontario Out Of Doors
