PFAS chemicals, linked to cancer and other health issues, have been found in Maine’s game meat, raising concerns for neighboring Vermont hunters and wildlife.
Sophia Thomas reports for WCAX.
In short:
- Game meat in Maine, including deer and wild turkey, tested positive for PFAS, harmful chemicals used in industrial processes.
- Vermont has no testing for PFAS in game meat, though the chemicals have been found in water and land statewide.
- Hunters are advised to research contamination at hunting sites and avoid consuming game liver, which can contain higher PFAS levels.
Key quote:
“This is a largely invisible problem to a hunter with a specific piece of meat in front of that.”
— Kate Crawford, Middlebury College.
Why this matters:
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in animals, potentially posing health risks to hunters and those who consume wild game. Efforts to address PFAS contamination highlight the challenge of managing widespread pollution.
Related EHN coverage: IN-DEPTH: What we know about PFAS in our food
