Recreational Water and PFAS Exposure Pathways
Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs used for swimming, water sports, and fishing may contain PFAS from industrial discharges, atmospheric deposition, and stormwater runoff. Dermal contact, incidental ingestion, and consumption of fish from contaminated waters all represent recreational PFAS exposure routes.
State Recreational Water PFAS Monitoring
Several states including Michigan, New Hampshire, and Vermont have established recreational water PFAS monitoring programs for public swimming areas and fishing waters. Monitoring results inform fish consumption advisories and swimming advisories for PFAS-contaminated water bodies.
Fish Consumption Advisories
PFAS bioaccumulate in fish muscle tissue, creating consumption risks that vary by fish species, size, and water contamination levels. State fish consumption advisories increasingly include PFAS-specific guidance, with sport fish from highly contaminated waters subject to strict consumption limits.
Recreational Exposure Assessment Challenges
Quantifying recreational PFAS exposure requires integrating dermal uptake rates, water ingestion during swimming, and fish consumption patterns. EPA’s exposure factor handbooks are being updated to include PFAS-specific recreational exposure factors for risk assessment applications.