SALT LAKE CITY – Health and environmental officials said elevated levels of harmful chemicals have been found in waterfowl harvested from the Great Salt Lake. Now, they’re updating consumption advisories to prevent long-term health effects.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources discovered elevated levels of mercury and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, otherwise known as PFOS, in some species of waterfowl, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Department of Health & Human Services said in a joint release.
Impacted species include the Northern shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard species.
“Migratory waterfowl from a wide geographic area may be exposed to environmental contaminants,” officials said in a release. “They may create an exposure pathway for people who harvest and consume them.”
Public health officials have released a chart outlining recommended monthly meal consumption limits for waterfowl from the area to prevent long-term health effects.
An updated chart outlining recommended consumption of waterfowl from the Great Salt Lake released on Sept. 19, 2025. (Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Department of Health & Human Services)
Officials said mercury advisories were lifted for the common goldeneye, “as the most recent sampling data indicate that levels have dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s health based guideline.”
Chemical breakdown
PFOS is a man-made chemical, the release said, also known as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly in the environment.
The chemical, widely used in industrial products and consumer goods, is now found throughout the environment.
“Repeated exposure to PFOS above certain levels has been linked to problems with cholesterol, the immune system, liver function, and small decreases in birth weight,” public health officials said.
Public health officials noted mercury is a “naturally-occurring metal that can be transformed into methylmercury, a toxic form found in some lakes and rivers.”
Those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, and young children are considered the most at-risk to exposure, “because even small amounts over time can affect brain and nervous sytem development,” the release said.
Public health officials said there is no risk from the chemicals when participating in water recreation. The posed risks are tied to long-term consumption above the recommended amount.
Click here for more information about the health impact of PFOS. For more information on contaminants in Utah waterfowl, click here.
