Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in commercially important marine species of fish and shellfish from Alaska and implications for human exposure

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental synthetic contaminants associated with some adverse health effects under certain exposure conditions. Dietary sources, particularly seafood, have been identified as a potentially significant contributor to PFAS body burden. Muscle tissue from several species of fish and shellfish harvested in Alaska were analyzed for 40 PFAS analytes. Ten analytes were detected above the method detection limit (MDL) with PFTrDA and PFUnA being the most frequently detected. Concentrations of all analytes ranged from below the detection limit to 0.809 ng/g wet weight with most being below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Overall, PFAS concentrations were low or non-detect, consistent with other market basket studies of seafood. Although no national PFAS-specific fish consumption thresholds are currently established, ongoing surveillance of PFAS in commercially and recreationally harvested seafood provides critical exposure data to inform risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.