PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl compounds, are widely used in industry, including in cosmetics, technical clothing, frying pans and flame retardants. PFAS compounds have accumulated in the environment and organisms worldwide. Most of the exposure to PFASs occurs through diet. EU legislation sets the maximum levels for PFAS compounds in fishery products and other food categories.
PFASs can have adverse effects on human health and development. These effects are on fetal development and the development of young children. Exposure to PFASs can weaken the immune response (vaccination response) and can cause increased cholesterol levels and decreased birth weight. Exposure may also affect children’s susceptibility to inflammation and reproductive health, for example.
Pollutant concentrations in fish were investigated in the autumn of 2023
The results are from a survey commissioned by the City of Helsinki, which was carried out in November 2023. For this survey, several different fish species (perch, zander, roach, whitefish, herring, pike) were caught in key fishing areas in Vanhankaupunginlahti, Kruunuvuorenselkä, Seurasaarenselkä and Vuosaari. The caught fish were analysed for many contaminants, including mercury, dioxins, PCBs and PFAS compounds. The highest concentrations of several substances were measured in Vanhankaupunginlahti or Kruunuvuorenselkä. Much of Helsinki’s commercial and recreational fishing occurs in the Vanhankaupunginlahti bay area.
The levels of the tested contaminants did not exceed the limits set by EU food legislation (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915) in other respects, but the concentration of PFOS and the combined PFAS measured in pike and large perch exceeded the limit for these substances when these fish are used in the industrial production of food for infants and young children. However, for the sum of PFASs, the tolerable exposure limits established by the European Food Safety Authority would be exceeded for these fish species even at very low weekly intakes, including in adults.
Commercial fishers and food business operators selling fish are responsible for ensuring that batches of fish that exceed the legal limits are not placed on the market.
Eating fish is recommended when following safe consumption guidelines
Finnish fish is essentially a healthy and ecological food, and eating a variety of different fish species at least twice a week is recommended. Except for at-risk groups, previous national risk-benefit estimates suggest that the health benefits of fish consumption clearly outweigh the harms at the population level.
However, eating certain fish can expose people, especially those at risk, to compounds that are harmful to their health and development, such as dioxins, PCBs and mercury. For this reason, the Finnish Food Authority has given special recommendations to children, adolescents and people of childbearing age for eating fish. Children, adolescents and people of childbearing age can only eat pike 1–2 times a month. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not eat pike at all.
Further studies and national survey on the levels of harmful substances in fish
As a follow-up study, Helsinki will investigate the PFAS concentrations of the Vanhankaupunginlahti pike using a larger sample size. The results will be ready at the end of the year.
The concentrations of harmful substances in fish throughout Finland have been investigated in the EU Fish IV project coordinated by the Finnish Food Authority, the results of which will be published in September. A similar previous project, EU Fish III, identified PFASs among other pollutants and was published in 2018 (Publication series of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities 51/2018).
In addition to the current use recommendations, fishing restrictions are in force in the Helsinki-Espoo fisheries area under a decision of the ELY Centre of Southwest Finland. For example, in Vanhankaupunginlahti, all fishing, except still fishing (using a single rod and line without a reel for casting ) from the shores, is prohibited between 15 May and 15 June 2024.