Eating Fish 3 Times a Week Raises PFAS Blood Levels by 38%

The more seafood you eat, the more PFAS ends up in your blood. Eating fish three or more times a week raised PFOS levels by 38% and some PFAS by over 100%.

195 People, Clear Dose Response

Researchers recruited 195 Asian/Pacific Islander participants in the San Francisco Bay Area and measured both their seafood consumption and blood PFAS levels. The link was dose-dependent, according to a 2026 study in Expo Health.

For every five meals of any seafood over 30 days, PFOS, PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFNA each rose 6 to 10%. Eating fish more than three times a week raised PFOS by 38% and PFUnDA by 42% compared to lower consumption.

Caught Fish and Non-Fillet Parts Are Worse

People who ate locally caught fish three or more times a week had 66 to 125% higher levels of four different PFAS chemicals. Eating non-fillet parts (heads, skin, organs) was linked to 34 to 124% higher levels of six PFAS compounds.

PFAS accumulate in fish from contaminated waterways, and certain communities that rely heavily on seafood face disproportionate exposure.

What You Can Do

Check local fish advisories before eating caught fish. Limit high-PFAS species. Vary your protein sources. And reduce other PFAS exposure with non-toxic kitchen alternatives.

Also see glass food containers for safer alternatives.

Source: Chen K, Beglarian E, Kauffman D, et al. (2026). Expo Health.