Illinois updates fish consumption advisories with new PFOS restrictions

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Public Health has released its annual update to sport fish consumption advisories, citing new guidelines for certain contaminants found in fish across the state.
The advisories are based on testing conducted through the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program, which analyzes fish for substances including PCBs, PFAS and methylmercury.

The results help determine how often fish from specific waterways can be safely consumed.

Health officials said many of this year’s updates are tied to stricter guidelines for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, a type of PFAS chemical commonly detected in fish.

Under the updated guidance, “Do Not Eat” advisories have been issued for largemouth bass in Campus Lake at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Monee Reservoir.

Additional restrictions limit consumption to no more than one meal per month for certain fish species in several waterways, including the Calumet River system, Campus Lake, the Chicago River system, Lake Calumet, Lake Zurich and Wolf Lake, among others.

Other advisories restrict consumption to no more than one meal per week in select locations.

IDPH also maintains a statewide advisory for methylmercury in all Illinois waters.

Officials recommend that women who are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant, along with children younger than 15, limit consumption of predatory fish such as bass, walleye and salmon to one meal per week.

Officials said residents should review the latest advisories before consuming fish and can access updated information through the department’s online fish advisory map.