Patterns of Seafood Consumption Among New Hampshire Residents Suggest Potential Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Abstract

Fish and shellfish (“seafood”) consumption has health benefits yet is a source of exposure to bioaccumulative environmental contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), that may cause adverse health impacts. We conducted a population-based survey of 1829 New Hampshire (NH) residents in June 2021 to determine consumption frequency, portion size, types and sources of seafood among adults and children (2–11 years old). We purchased the most commonly consumed species from a seafood market in Portsmouth, NH and quantified 26 PFAS compounds. For PFAS with available health guidance values we calculated hazard quotients to assess exposure risk from seafood consumption. Among adults, 95% reported consuming seafood within the last year and shrimp, haddock, salmon, and canned tuna were most frequently consumed. Based on consumption frequencies and meal sizes, we estimated daily seafood consumption rates for adults (median: 33.9 g/day; 95% CI 26.0, 41.8) and children (5.0 g/day; 2.3, 7.7), which are somewhat higher than National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates for the Northeastern US. In local market basket shrimp and lobster, PFAS were detected at median concentrations ranging from below the limit of detection to 1.74 and 3.30 ng/g, respectively. Hazard quotients suggest that high seafood consumers may be exposed to PFAS concentrations that potentially pose a health risk. Our findings support future development of environmental and health-based policies to protect people from exposure to PFAS found in commonly consumed seafood.