PFAS advisory issued for Green Bay, parts of some rivers

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WGBW) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing a PFAS fish consumption advisory for Green Bay and some of its tributaries in the state, the Department announced Thursday.

The DNR said elevated levels of PFOS and PFAS were found in rainbow smelt sampled from Green Bay.

The DNR and Wisconsin Department of Health Services are recommending that people have no more than one meal per week that contains rainbow smelt caught in Green Bay and its tributaries, including parts of the Peshtigo, Oconto and Marinette rivers.

“Eating locally caught fish is a cost-effective way to feed your family a lean, healthy protein,” Lori Tate, DNR Fisheries Management Section Supervisor, said. “This advisory, like our long-standing mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl advisories, is another way to ensure our anglers who eat their catch are provided with the right information to consume fish safely.”

PFAS are human-made chemicals found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant sprays, food wrappers and some types of firefighting foams. Health risks from consuming PFAS include higher cholesterol, lower immune response and fertility in women, and cancers, among other health issues.

The DNR provides information on how to safely consume fish caught in Wisconsin. More information can be found on the DNR website.