Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Publishes ERG-Led PFAS Study

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recently published an ERG-led study, PFAS Concentrations in Surface Water, Freshwater Fish and Invertebrates, and Coastal Fish and Shellfish in Massachusetts. This study investigated the extent and magnitude of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in both freshwater and coastal environments in Massachusetts. Its findings highlight the ongoing environmental and human health relevance of PFAS contamination in Massachusetts and the need for continued monitoring, risk assessment, and mitigation efforts. 

ERG supported MassDEP at each stage of the project, including designing the study, coordinating sample collection with a subcontractor, analyzing the data, and authoring the report. In summer and fall 2024, the team sampled fish, shellfish, benthic macroinvertebrates, and surface water at 10 freshwater and 26 coastal locations. The samples were analyzed for 40 PFAS and compared with applicable water quality values and other relevant benchmarks.  

“Our clients want to understand where PFAS chemicals are occurring and how they move through the environment,” said ERG project manager Rebecca DeVries. “By measuring PFAS in water, fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms across Massachusetts, this study provides valuable data that can help guide future actions to protect communities and ecosystems.”