Are clams and oysters from PFAS-affected coastlines safe to eat?
No. Bivalves near old firefighting foam sites carry high PFAS that don't cook out.
What's actually in it
Clams, mussels, and oysters are filter feeders. They pull water through their gills and trap whatever's floating in it, including PFAS from old firefighting foam. Sites near military bases, airports, and fire training grounds tend to be the hottest. The bivalves don't break PFAS down, so the chemicals build up in their flesh.
Cooking doesn't help. PFAS are heat-stable up to temperatures way past boiling and frying.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Integr Environ Assess Manag ran a risk assessment on bivalves harvested near sites contaminated with aqueous film-forming foam, the kind firefighters used for fuel fires. The shellfish carried PFAS at levels that pushed past safe weekly intakes after just one or two servings.
The team flagged commercial and recreational harvest from those areas as a real food safety issue.
If you harvest your own shellfish, check whether your spot has a fire training history or industrial runoff. Stick with commercial bivalves from cleaner waters and follow local consumption advisories. For low-PFAS protein, lean on chicken, eggs, and small ocean fish like sardines.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Risks associated with consumption of bivalves from PFAS-affected aqueous film-forming foam sites. | Integr Environ Assess Manag | 2026 |
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