AUGUSTA -- The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) today issued new freshwater fish consumption advisories recommending either no consumption or limited consumption of fish from four waterbodies located on and around the former naval air station in Brunswick, Maine.
The testing of fish is part of the United States Navy's ongoing remedial investigation at the former base in response to environmental contamination from the historic use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) in fire-fighting operations. Data were collected in October 2023 by the Navy, in coordination with Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and shared with the Maine CDC in spring of 2024. The Maine CDC reviewed the data and determined they showed elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, above the agency's recommended levels for regular consumption.
While testing occurred before the August 19, 2024 accidental release of AFFF at the former naval air station, that incident is not expected to impact the guidance issued today. The waters likely impacted by the AFFF spill are on the east side of the runway at the air station. Today's advisory recommends a no consumption advisory for those waters based on prior testing data.
Elevated levels of the specific PFAS called perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were detected in fish tissue samples collected from Mere Brook (also known as Mare Brook), Merriconeag Stream, Picnic Pond, and Site 8 Stream. The new fish consumption advisories listed below apply to all fish caught in these waterbodies:
| Waterbody | Consumption Advisory |
|---|---|
| Mere (Mare) Brook from the Eastern side of the runway to Liberty Crossing | Do Not Eat fish of any species. |
| Mere (Mare) Brook from Coffin Ice Pond to the Western edge of the runway | Consume no more than 6 meals per year of any fish species. |
| All of Merriconeag Stream | Do Not Eat fish of any species. |
| All of Picnic Pond | Do Not Eat fish of any species. |
| All of Site 8 Stream | Do Not Eat fish of any species. |
In response to the recent release of AFFF and the reported presence of visible foam on some of these waterbodies on the eastern side of the runway, the Maine CDC additionally recommends the public avoid any contact with foam on these water bodies. Out of an abundance of caution, the Maine CDC also recommends the public refrain from any recreational activities (e.g., swimming, boating, wading) that could result in contact with the foam or waters until the potential impact of the AFFF release on these waterbodies is fully assessed.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals found in a variety of consumer products throughout the world. Based on a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, exposure to certain PFAS chemicals has been associated with increases in cholesterol levels, decreases in birth weight, lower antibody response to some vaccines, and kidney cancer.
For more information about the fish consumption advisories and PFAS, please go to:
- Maine CDC PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory FAQ (PDF)
- Maine CDC Scientific Brief: PFOS Consumption Advisory for the Former Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine (PDF)
- Freshwater Fish Safe Eating Guidelines (PDF)
Map of waterbodies included in the fish consumption advisory on and around the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick.
