Wild turkeys off the menu in Maine after ‘forever chemicals’ found in birds | Maine
Hunters in Maine have been warned not to eat wild turkey in some parts of the state after the birds were found to contain “forever chemicals” that could increase the risk of cancer.
Maine officials have warned that high levels of Pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in wild turkeys and deer killed and harvested in areas in the southwestern part of the state.
The warning could negatively impact Thanksgiving plans for those who like to hunt and shoot their own dinner decorations. But the reality is that contamination of wildlife with Pfas is becoming an increasing problem in the United States.
Earlier this fall, Wisconsin and Michigan also issued “do not eat” advisories for deer, fish and birds, while in January health officials in New Mexico warned the hunters It was stated that chemicals harmful to wildlife were found in a lake in the south of the state.
Maine’s inland fisheries and wildlife department issued a “do not eat” warning earlier this month in four areas north of Maine’s capital, Augusta.
“Wildlife sampled from one-kilometer areas with high levels of PFAS concentrations in soil were found to result in animals with levels of PFAS in their muscle tissue requiring advisory,” the inland fisheries and wildlife report said. “Department and Maine CDC [Centers for Disease Control] “We recommend that no one eat deer or wild turkey collected in these areas where wildlife consumption is recommended.”
Pfas are a group of chemicals that have been used in manufacturing and added to consumer products since the 1950s. It may take hundreds or even thousands of years for them to decompose; That is, when they seep into soil or water, they can remain there for centuries. The chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects, reduced immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease and a host of other serious health problems.
Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the non-profit Environmental Working Group, said in an interview with the Guardian: “Wildlife is already contaminated with Pfas on a global scale, and this contamination will continue to be a problem until we greatly reduce the use of Pfas in consumer products and industrial applications.”
Maine, which says it has sampled other parts of the state for Pfas, is not alone in having to confront a persistent chemical problem. At least 17 states have issued recommendations against consuming fish containing Pfas, and birds and mammals are increasingly a concern.
Michigan’s departments of health and human services and natural resources are ignoring the recommendations at Clark’s Marsh, near the former Wurtsmith air force base. in september. Authorities warned that deer could possibly contain “various” Pfas substances and also said people should not eat fish taken from swamps and aquatic or semi-aquatic wildlife.
There have been several warnings linked to Pfas contamination in the region since 2012. use by military Foam to extinguish fires. In August, New Mexico detected alarming levels of Pfas in the blood of people living or working near Cannon Air Force Base, also from military use of firefighting foam.
Wisconsin has issued recommendations against eating fish and deer in the area around the town of Stella in the northern part of the state. Officials said People should only eat deer muscle once a month and avoid eating deer liver completely.
Stoiber said it would take “decades” to remediate current Pfas pollution.
“The most effective and important step is to phase out the widespread use of Pfas in commerce and stop the continued discharge of Pfas into the environment,” he said.
“Federal regulations, such as enforceable drinking water standards and stronger protections for source water, are critical to reducing Pfas contamination and limiting future exposure.
“Public education is equally critical. People need clear information about how exposure to Pfas occurs, as informed public pressure is often needed to encourage policymakers to take action and end the widespread use of Pfas.”
