Health Alert for Foxboro and Plainville: New Fish Consumption Advisory for Lake Mirimichi

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a new advisory on fish consumption for Lake Mirimichi, impacting Foxboro and Plainville. This advisory follows the detection of high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the fish, based on 2022 samples. A report by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in December 2023 confirmed these findings.

PFAS levels have surpassed the DPH safety threshold of 0.22 parts per billion, posing a health risk for those who consume fish from this lake regularly. The DPH, working with the Environmental Toxicology Program, continuously evaluates such data to protect public health.

Due to these findings, the DPH advises that children under 12, as well as nursing or pregnant individuals, should avoid eating any fish from Lake Mirimichi. They recommend that the general public limit their consumption to no more than one fish meal per year from this lake.

The DPH has also released educational materials to increase public awareness. These include a poster outlining the contaminants and advisory details, and a brochure on PFAS in recreationally caught fish. These resources are available via links in the advisory notice.