Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure from the inner Port River
Can I become exposed to PFAS from eating fish caught in the inner Port River?
Yes you can be exposed to PFAS by consuming fish caught within the Adelaide metropolitan region. The EPA has undertaken a number of surveys to assess the risk from PFAS to the marine environment, particularly focusing on high-risk locations such as the Port River.
Commonly targeted recreational fish and invertebrates from the inner Port and North Arm region were sampled. In all fish samples, the liver was found to be the site of PFAS storage with lower concentrations in the frames, and the fillets having the lowest concentration. While small traces of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were found in the flesh of fish and invertebrates, advice from SA Health stated that they were all safe to eat.
For more information see the Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the marine environment Preliminary ecological findings report (PDF 546KB) produced by the Environment Protection Authority.
Further information
For further information on PFASs, see the Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) web page, contact SA Health’s Scientific Services on (08) 8226 7100, or visit the Commonwealth Department of Health’s web page