Maine Warns Residents: Don't Eat Contaminated Freshwater Fish

AUGUSTA, ME — Maine public health officials are warning residents to avoid eating fish from several bodies of water due to dangerous levels of forever chemicals, according to a report.

The Maine CDC issued several new advisories Thursday to limit or avoid eating freshwater fish from the following bodies of water, the Portland Press Herald reported:

• Police Athletic League Ponds and Fish Brook in Fairfield.
• Messalonskee Stream in Oakland and Waterville.
• Durepo Reservoir and Limestone Stream in Limestone.
• Sections of the Mousam River and Estes Pond in Sanford.
• Unity Pond in Unity.
• Lower Presumpscot River from Westbrook to Falmouth.

The advisory was issued due to unsafe levels of contaminants called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the Press-Herald reported.

Scientific studies have shown certain PFAS chemicals can be associated with decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women, developmental effects or delays in children, increased risk of some cancers, increased cholesterol levels, and a reduction in the body’s immune system's ability to fight infections, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Read more via the Portland Press Herald