Maine Issues Health Advisory for Deer and Wild Turkey Meat in Unity Area Due to High PFAS Levels
Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife issued a critical health advisory warning against the consumption of deer and wild turkey meat harvested near Waterville in specific areas such as Unity, Unity Township, Albion, and Freedom.
This warning follows tests revealing elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in animal tissue, attributed to contaminated soils in these zones. PFOS belongs to the class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature and their association with health risks.
Results showed “unsafe levels of forever chemicals in turkey and deer muscle tissue,” most likely from PFAS ingestion by wildlife feeding in contaminated areas, according to Mark Latti, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The affected areas have soils known to be heavily contaminated with PFAS, often from municipal and industrial sludge applications in agriculture. These toxic chemicals have shown significant resistance to degradation, persisting in the environment and bioaccumulating in the food chain.
The advisory applies to two regions: a 5.4-square-mile area along Route 139 in Unity and Unity Township and a 4.3-square-mile region along Route 202 that crosses Unity, Albion, and Freedom.
Maine wildlife officials reported that samples from 54 deer and 55 turkeys collected in 2023 indicated exposure to PFAS levels exceeding the state’s threshold for safety.
The state has set this threshold at 180 parts per billion of PFOS in animal tissue, a marker indicating elevated risk for PFAS contamination.
Latti emphasized, “Exposure is known to increase the risk of some types of cancer, decrease infant and fetal growth, increase cholesterol levels, and impair the immune system.”
This advisory is part of Maine’s broader effort to address PFAS contamination in food sources, which includes previous restrictions on deer in Fairfield due to high PFAS levels and consumption advisories for fish from affected waters.
PFAS, which are used in various consumer and industrial products, pose health risks that led Maine to restrict their use and spread in agricultural applications.
According to Latti, the state is also examining PFAS effects on small-game animals, such as grouse and beaver, to better understand the full extent of contamination across local ecosystems.
These measures reflect Maine’s proactive stance in limiting PFAS exposure and addressing its potential impacts on residents’ health.
If you want to learn more about the latest updates on meat safety, health advisories, and contamination risks, visit our homepage.
