Researcher: PFAS found across Finger Lakes fish; Seneca Lake shows higher levels

Dr. Eric Lewandowski, introduced by Betsy, told the Water Resources Council that PFAS compounds are widespread in Finger Lakes fish and that trend data show varying degrees of bioaccumulation and trophic magnification across water bodies. He said his sampling covers seven Finger Lakes (including three in Ontario County) and that sensors of greatest interest for this talk were PFOS and PFOA, which together often make up 80–90 percent of measured PFAS in fish.

"These compounds are extremely, extremely persistent," Lewandowski said, explaining why PFAS remain in fish and environments for prolonged periods. He compared whole-fish and fillet metrics, noting state guidance uses 40 parts per billion (ppb) as a do-not-eat threshold for PFOS and that whole-fish benchmarks cited in the presentation can be substantially higher (federal whole-fish guidance was referenced at about 201 ppb). His team plans more sampling, stable-isotope analysis to explore trophic transfer, and a fish-focused risk assessment to better inform advisories.