PFAS assessment in fish: samples from Illinois waters

Abstract Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in pesticide production, electroplating chemical industry, packaging, paper making, clean energy materials, and other industries. This study documented fish tissues in four target water bodies (16 sampling points) in Illinois collected during 2021-22. Concentrations of 17 PFASs were determined in nine fish species collected from four waterways/aquatic systems in the northwest corner of Illinois for the assessment of potential health risks. At least four PFAS (PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFBS) were detected at each site. Across all waterbodies and sampling locations, the mean of the total (Σ) PFAS levels varied from 7.32 to 335.05 ng/g wet weight (ww) in 2021 and from 13.19 to 146.13 ng/g wet weight (ww) in 2022. In individual fish fillet, the total PFAS ranged from 6.76 to 191.21 ng/g ww in 2021 samples and 1.39 ng/g ww to 37.50 ng/g ww in 2022 samples. The most abundant compound in each species was PFOS in 2021 and PFHxA in 2022, which accounted for 21.25 to 77.53% of the total PFASs. On an average, levels of PFOS in almost all fish were high enough to trigger fish consumption recommendations. More research is needed to further assess the sources and accumulation of PFAS in aquatics and the potential risk to the environment.