Chinese team maps how 'forever chemicals' move from fish to humans

A Chinese research team has confirmed that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals," can enter the human body through marine fish consumption, posing potential health risks.

The study mapped PFAS contamination in fish worldwide, predicting concentrations in 212 commonly consumed marine fish species and assessing risk of PFAS exposure through fish consumption across different regions.

PFAS are a type of persistent synthetic chemical found in everyday items such as non-stick cookware coatings, waterproof outdoor gear and food packaging. Because they break down very slowly in the natural environment, they are referred to as "forever chemicals."

These substances spread through water and air, entering marine ecosystems where they are absorbed and accumulated in fish. When people consume contaminated fish, PFAS can enter the human body and build up over time, posing a potential threat to health.

The findings were published online Friday in Science. The research team included scientists from the Southern University of Science and Technology, Southeast University, Fuzhou University, and Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo.

Researcher Qiu Wenhui, a member of the team, explained that global seafood trade is quietly altering PFAS exposure patterns. Fish from high-residue regions are transported via international trade to low-residue regions.

The work provides a scientific basis for safeguarding food safety and informing fisheries management and PFAS regulation.