Fish Contamination: New Guidance For Twin Cities Lakes

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health Thursday released new recommendations on how often to eat fish (if at all) from certain Minnesota waters. Based on their levels of one type of contaminant known as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), this year’s guidance includes updated advice for several Twin Cities lakes, most notably Lake Harriet and Lake Elmo.

Health officials now advise not to eat any fish from Lake Elmo and to not eat largemouth bass from Lake Harriet.

In some studies, higher levels of PFOS in a person’s body have been associated with higher cholesterol, changes to liver function, changes in thyroid hormone levels and reduced immune response.

Officials say the most likely source of the elevated levels of PFOS in Lake Elmo is surface and groundwater contaminated by the former 3M disposal site in Oakdale.

The recent 3M settlement will allow further investigation and action as warranted to reduce the contamination, according to the health department.

PFOS levels in Lake Harriet have been declining since the source of the PFOS – the nearby Douglas Corporation plating facility – was addressed in 2010. If PFOS levels in Lake Harriet continue to decline, the advice to avoid eating largemouth bass from the lake is likely to change as well.

Find 2018 meal advice for all Minnesota lakes below

Advice for the general population:

Advice for women who are or may become pregnant and children under 15:

More information on fish contamination in local lakes and waters can be found on the DNR LakeFinder web app.

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