Under the auspices of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42322707, 42222710, and 42477297), Associate Professor Wenhui Qiu from Southern University of Science and Technology, Professor Zhaomin Dong from Southeast University, Professor Minghong Wu from Fuzhou University, Professor Chunmiao Zheng from Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, along with international collaborators, have made significant progress in systematically revealing the health risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — a class of emerging contaminants — through the consumption of marine fish globally. The research findings were published online on December 18, 2025, in the journal Science under the title "Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure Through Marine Fish Consumption."

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial production and consumer product manufacturing. These substances are resistant to degradation in the environment and can biomagnify through the food chain. Their long-term accumulation in the human body poses potential threats to human health. As marine fish constitute a significant component of the global diet, they may represent an important route of PFAS intake for humans. However, the contribution of marine fish to population-level PFAS exposure and the associated health risks remain inadequately assessed on a global scale.

Fig. Schematic diagram of the exposure risk of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through marine fish consumption

The research team integrated environmental concentration data, marine food web models, bioaccumulation factors, global fishery statistics, trade networks, and health risk assessment frameworks to systematically analyze and elucidate the concentrations of PFAS accumulated in 212 species of edible marine fish worldwide and the associated human exposure risks through consumption. The study revealed that population-level PFAS exposure via marine fish consumption varies across countries, which is associated with national economic status, dietary patterns, and historical PFAS usage. Global seafood trade has the potential to reshape the landscape of PFAS exposure, as PFAS are transferred from regions with high residual contamination to those with low residual contamination through international seafood trade. International regulatory policies were found to be effective in reducing PFAS exposure risks. Owing to their greater persistence and bioaccumulation potential, long-chain PFAS exhibit more prominent ecological and health risks on a global scale.

This study established an innovative analytical framework that clearly traces the complete pathway of PFAS from water bodies into marine fish and subsequently to human populations through dietary exposure. It systematically elucidates the bioaccumulation dynamics of PFAS in marine food webs and the associated population exposure risks, and delineates the differential bioaccumulation of various PFAS congeners and their resultant risk differentiation. These findings provide scientific evidence for fisheries management authorities to develop evidence-based fish consumption advisories, and offer critical data to support the improvement of detection standards for imported seafood and the optimization of chemical regulatory policies.

Paper’s link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr0351