Due to high levels of PFAS, health officials in Michigan have been advising that people limit the amount of Lake Superior smelt they eat. However, recent tests have found that PFAS levels in smelt are much lower than previously believed. Environmental reporter Kelly House covered the story for Bridge Michigan.
“These smelt weren’t swimming in waters with any known PFAS contamination nearby. So it seemed strange for them to be showing up with these really high levels when no other nearby fish were showing similar problems,” said House.
Scientists discovered that a naturally occurring bile in smelt was interfering with the test results.
