Study Finds PFAS Levels Dropping in Great Lakes Fish

Declining levels driven by industry phase-out of legacy PFAS chemicals

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A new study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research shows that PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish are on the decline as manufacturers have phased out some chemicals in recent decades. Researchers analyzed PFAS levels in almost 1,000 samples taken from lake trout and walleye across all five Great Lakes from 1975 to 2020, finding that PFAS levels peaked between 2007 and 2017 but have been dropping ever since.

Why it matters

PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals', have been linked to serious health risks including kidney and testicular cancers. The declining levels in Great Lakes fish indicate that industry efforts to phase out certain PFAS chemicals are having a positive impact on the environment.

The details

The study found that the highest PFAS concentrations in fish were observed in Lake Erie at around 450 parts per billion (ppb) before declining to around 50 ppb in 2020. Lake Michigan peaked at around 150 ppb and later fell to around 80 ppb by 2020. Lake Superior generally had the lowest levels, peaking around 60 ppb and later falling to around 25 ppb in 2020. The declining levels were driven by an industry phase-out of legacy PFAS chemicals, particularly PFOS, which was detected in all samples.

  • The study analyzed PFAS levels in samples taken from 1975 to 2020.
  • PFAS levels peaked between 2007 and 2017 across all five Great Lakes.
  • PFAS levels have been dropping ever since the peak years.

The players

Sarah Balgooyen

The lead author of the study and a former research chemist who worked at the EPA's former Office of Research and Development.

Eric Haataja

A fishing charter captain in Milwaukee who says the findings are great news for anyone who enjoys eating fish.

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What they’re saying

“We do see the ecosystem responding to these changes in industrial practices, which is a great thing. We know that industry is in a very powerful position at this point because what they do changes what's happening in our environment.”

— Sarah Balgooyen, Lead Author (Journal of Great Lakes Research)

“It's healthier. It's better for you if there's less of the toxins.”

— Eric Haataja, Fishing Charter Captain (Wisconsin Public Radio)

What’s next

Wisconsin Public Radio reported that it would be nice to see federal funding for industry and wastewater treatment plants to help them filter out PFAS chemicals before discharging to the lakes.

The takeaway

The declining PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish demonstrate that industry efforts to phase out certain 'forever chemicals' can have a positive impact on the environment. However, more work is still needed to further reduce PFAS contamination in the region's waterways.