The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is warning people to limit their fish intake from the Oxbow in Northampton and Easthampton, or to not consume any fish from the pond if they have certain health conditions.

According to a fish consumption advisory put out this week by the state, toxicology tests show there are unhealthy levels of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, found in samplings of fish caught in the Oxbow, an old meander of the Connecticut River still connected via bridge passageways under Route 91 and Route 5. The tests were conducted by the agency’s Environmental Toxicology Program. The state Department of Environmental Protection is also involved in the analyzing the test results.

Many fishermen at the Oxbow say they already make it a practice not to eat what they catch, and instead release the fish back into the river.

“I just catch and release,” said Dennis O’Brien, who fishes at the Oxbow about once a week in the spring and summer. “Besides, if I were counting on what I catch here to survive, I’d be starving.”

Adam Galvagni, who fishes at the Oxbow every day, also had not heard about the advisory, but solely practices catch and release as well.

“I fish with a group of about 20 guys who all just catch and release,” said Galvagni. “I’d say about 90% of the people I come into contact with catch and release, but there are some who keep the fish and eat them.”

Recreational fishing in the Oxbow is still considered safe so long as the fish are not consumed, according to health officials. There is no way to wash, cook away, or otherwise remove the PFAS in these fish.

Swimming, boating, and other water-based activities in the Oxbow are also considered safe, as the risk of exposure from these activities is much lower than from fish or water consumption. PFAS are only absorbed through the skin in very small amounts, and these activities do not typically result in large amounts of exposure over long periods of time, the advisory said.

The fish samples that prompted this week’s advisory were taken from the Oxbow in 2022, officials said.

“In general, it takes one to two years to issue advisories after samples are collected,” said Omar Cabrera, manager of ethnic media and community outreach for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “This is due to the time required for the lab to analyze the samples, and for both DPH and MassDEP to review, compile the results, and evaluate the data.”

This sample measured PFAS levels in the Oxbow fish above the DPH action level of 0.22 parts per billion (ppb), which indicated that daily consumption of fish from this body of water may pose health concerns. DPH advises that the general population limit their consumption of fish caught from the waterbody to two meals per month, while children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant should eliminate their intake altogether.

According to Cabrera, the DPH and DEP have collectively tested fish in 65 waterbodies for PFAS statewide since 2021. In all 65, PFAS were detected in at least some fish.

“The levels detected in fish at Oxbow Pond are typical in comparison to other waterbodies,” said Cabrera.

“The DPH advised us to post the state-provided advisory in public places and at entry points to Oxbow Pond,” said Brian Chapdelaine, health advisor for the city of Easthampton. “Our department and the city will communicate with the DPH to get further information on why this is happening and what we can do to improve it.”

PFAS are a group of chemicals that have been used in manufacturing since the 1950s. They are used in stain and water-resistant products and non-stick products such as various kinds of packaging, outdoor clothing, carpets, leather consumer goods, and more. They can also be found in some firefighting foam and industrial processes.

Exposure to these chemicals can have adverse effects on the health of humans and animals, who are typically exposed through drinking water or consuming fish from contaminated waterbodies. In studies on their effects on humans, they have been found associated with higher levels of liver and cholesterol enzymes, an increased risk for high blood pressure, an increased risk for preeclampsia during pregnancy, lighter birth weights, and decreased vaccination responses in children.

Long-term exposure has been associated with kidney and testicular cancer in humans as well.

Scientists continue to study the effects of PFAS exposure on humans, particularly exposures to different combinations of these types of chemicals.

DPH tests fish for PFAS because they have been detected in groundwater, surface water, and residential drinking water at contaminated sites throughout Massachusetts since 2015. Because PFAS exposure is a health concern, and these chemicals occur widely in the environment,, DPH monitors surface water and fish samples to determine the safety of waterbodies for recreational activities.

At this time, Cabrera said that it is unknown whether contamination is likely to spread beyond the Oxbow, which despite being deemed a pond in official language, is still connected to the larger Connecticut River.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @alexamlewis.