Florida Fish Are Loaded With PFAS

If you eat fish caught in Florida's estuaries, you're probably eating PFAS too.

Forever Chemicals in Florida Seafood

A 2026 study in Environ Res tested fish from Florida's estuarine waters for PFAS contamination. They found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances across multiple species, at levels that pose risks to both human health and the ecosystem.

The researchers looked at PFAS levels and patterns across different fish species. They also estimated what those contamination levels mean for people who eat the fish regularly. The conclusion: there are real health risks from consuming PFAS-contaminated seafood.

Where the PFAS Come From

PFAS enter waterways from industrial sites, military bases (where PFAS-containing firefighting foam was used for decades), wastewater treatment plants, and everyday consumer products. Once in the water, fish absorb and accumulate these chemicals in their tissue. The bigger and older the fish, the more PFAS it carries.

Florida's warm, shallow estuaries are nursery grounds for many popular seafood species. Contamination here means PFAS enter the food chain early.

What You Can Do

Check local fish consumption advisories before eating catches from Florida waters. Vary your seafood sources. Avoid eating organs and skin where PFAS concentrate. And when you're cooking at home, skip the nonstick pan (another PFAS source). Check out non-toxic kitchen alternatives for safer cookware.

Also see glass food containers for safer alternatives.

Source: Pulster et al. (2026). Environ Res.