Elevated PFOS levels prompt ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisories in four Kent County waterbodies

WEST MICHIGAN — “Do Not Eat” fish advisories have been issued for several bodies of water in Kent County, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Wednesday.

Officials said high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were found in the filets of fish taken from the following waterbodies:

• Hopewell Indian Mounds Pond in Wyoming
• Luvis Lake in Grandville
• Porter Lake in Grandville
• Spelman Lake located at the Wyoming Clean Water Plant

The Do Not Eat advisories apply to all species of fish found in these waters.

“We recommend that no one eat fish listed as Do Not Eat, regardless of age or health,” MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said. “When these fish were tested, MDHHS found high levels of PFOS, and we want Michiganders to be aware that eating fish from these waterbodies could possibly lead to health problems in the future.”

MDHHS describes PFOS as a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that is not naturally found in the environment and can be harmful to health. Because the chemical is stored in the muscle, it is still not safe to eat by trimming away the fat on the fish.

Officials said the following are potential health problems associated with eating fish exposed to PFOS:

• Harm to thyroid function
• Changes in immune response
• Increases in LDL and total cholesterol levels
• Harm to liver function
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia

Residents can expect to see Do Not Eat signs posted at the affected waterbodies.

The Eat Safe Fish (ESF) program issues Do Not Eat advisories when the average level of PFOS found in fish filets exceeds 49.6 ppb (parts per billion). MDHHS said the PFOS levels found in the filets of fish taken from the four locations ranged from 74.4 to 514.3 ppb.

More information about the ESF program can be found online or by calling the MDHHS Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942.