Greenpeace testing found high PFAS levels in fish, crabs and mussels from the North and Baltic seas. Some samples were nearly nine times the EU's weekly intake guidance for adults. PFAS — a family of roughly 15,000 persistent chemicals — are linked to fertility, cancer and immune harms and can accumulate in wildlife and people. Researchers are developing removal and remediation methods while public-health guidance and consumer choices can help reduce exposure.
Greenpeace Study Finds High PFAS Levels in North and Baltic Sea Seafood — Some Samples Nearly 9× EU Guidance
Greenpeace testing found high PFAS levels in fish, crabs and mussels from the North and Baltic seas. Some samples were nearly nine times the EU's weekly intake guidance for adults. PFAS — a family of roughly 15,000 persistent chemicals — are linked to fertility, cancer and immune harms and can accumulate in wildlife and people. Researchers are developing removal and remediation methods while public-health guidance and consumer choices can help reduce exposure.
03:34 PM, 11/15/2025Environment
PFAS detected in commonly eaten seafood from the North and Baltic seas
A new Greenpeace study has identified elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in several species from the North and Baltic seas that are commonly eaten by people. Test results reported by TVP World show that some fish, crabs and mussels sampled in German North Sea waters and the Baltic Sea contained PFAS concentrations approaching nearly nine times the European Union's current guidance for weekly adult intake.
What are PFAS? PFAS are a broad family of roughly 15,000 synthetic chemicals used for decades in products such as non-stick cookware, water- and stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency links certain PFAS to health concerns including reduced fertility, an increased risk of some cancers, and weakened immune responses.
"Because these substances do not break down readily in the environment, there is growing concern about their accumulation in ecosystems and the potential long-term impacts on environmental and human health," TVP World reported summarizing the study.
PFAS persist in the environment and can bioaccumulate in animals, raising concerns for both human consumers and wildlife. Other investigations have found alarming PFAS levels in large water bodies and in some drinking-water systems; for example, a lake in New Mexico was reported to have among the highest measured concentrations worldwide, prompting worries about hunters and anglers who may eat animals exposed to those waters.
Scientists have also documented ecological impacts: an Australia-based study found freshwater turtles sampled at multiple sites carried PFAS in several organs and passed these chemicals to their offspring, with laboratory hatchlings showing high PFAS burdens and a concerning incidence of deformities.
Research and remediation efforts
Researchers are actively developing ways to remove or break down PFAS in water. A team at the University of Illinois reported a process capable of removing a broad range of PFAS compounds in one step, and scientists at the University of Rochester are pursuing complementary approaches. These efforts are promising but still under development and not yet a widescale solution.
Practical advice for consumers
- Reduce potential exposure by choosing products labeled PFAS-free where possible.
- Consider alternatives to some non-stick cookware (especially older, heavily scratched pans) and limit purchases of water- and stain-resistant textiles.
- Follow local seafood advisories and guidance from health authorities about fish consumption, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant people and children.
While fully eliminating PFAS exposure may be unrealistic today, informed consumer choices and stronger regulation and cleanup efforts can reduce risk and protect both human health and ecosystems.