RIDOH Issues Warning on Fish Caught in Pawcatuck River Due to PFAS Contamination

RIDOH Issues Warning on Fish Caught in Pawcatuck River Due to PFAS Contamination

 

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is recommending that the public limit consumption of native fish caught in certain areas of the Pawcatuck River downstream of Burdickville Road in Hopkinton and to avoid eating any fish from the Grills Preserve Pond in Bradford. Fish caught in these areas have had high levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). 

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RIDOH is issuing the following fish consumption recommendations to protect public health: 

 

- Do not eat any fish caught from the Grills Preserve Pond.  
- Eat no more than one meal per month of native fish (i.e., perch, bass, and pickerel) caught from the Pawcatuck River downstream of Burdickville Road in Hopkinton. 
- Since PFAS tend to accumulate more in organs compared to muscle tissue, do not eat the organs of fish caught from the Pawcatuck River downstream of Burdickville Road in Hopkinton. 
- RIDOH does not currently have the data needed to make a health-based recommendation on the safety of consuming stocked trout in this section of the Pawcatuck River. - Individuals concerned about PFAS should know that these species can accumulate PFAS. People can be exposed to PFAS from a variety of sources and can lower their intake from one or more sources by limiting or replacing them. 

 

Stocked trout were not collected in this study, so RIDOH does not have data to show how much PFAS they contain. Generally, research shows that fish take up PFAS quickly from the environment. Stocked trout are raised in a separate location and do not spend as much time in the river. Right now, there is not enough data about how fast PFAS levels increase in stocked trout. For stocked trout in the Pawcatuck River, RIDOH cannot determine if PFAS will reach levels of concern before they are fished. RIDOH is currently working with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to get better data on whether PFAS reaches levels of concern in stocked trout. RIDEM has also changed the stocking schedule so that PFAS in stocked trout are less likely to reach levels of concern. 

 

"Fishing is a valued tradition in Rhode Island, and fish are a good source of protein and nutrients. However, fish in some areas can have high levels of pollutants that can harm our health," said Director of Health Jerome Larkin, MD. "While we are still learning about the sources and effects of PFAS, it is important to take steps to lower our exposure to these chemicals. After careful consideration of the data and health risks, we are recommending that people eat only one meal per month of native fish (i.e., perch, bass, and pickerel) caught from the Pawcatuck River downstream Burdickville Road in Hopkinton.” 

 

RIDOH has posted signs at the Grills Preserve Pond advising people not to eat the fish. RIDOH is planning to post signs at popular fishing spots along the Pawcatuck River in the area of the advisory. The Department is also planning two public meetings to discuss the findings, hear community concerns and input, and provide guidance on reducing exposure risks. The community meetings will be scheduled in spring 2025.

Sign up to be notified when the meetings are scheduled at health.ri.gov/fish.