EPA finds toxic PFAS chemicals in Tasmanian water catchments and estuaries

The reports, released by the Environment Protection Authority on Monday, found the eels contained high levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances - more commonly known as PFAS - which are used in products to resist heat, stains, grease and water.

PFAS compounds were found in 92 per cent of freshwater sites monitored in one report - a snapshot of inland and estuarine surface water PFAS levels - although most of them had small, "ultra-trace levels".

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According to the EPA, sites lower down in catchments and areas with high land use had higher concentrations of PFAS.

PFAS levels in the eels were measured downstream of sites that had been contaminated by fire-fighting foam that uses the chemicals as fire retardants.

It said the release of PFAS into the environment was "a concern", but the advice to avoid eating contaminated eels was only precautionary.

"These chemicals are highly persistent, have been shown to be toxic to fish and some animals, and can accumulate in the bodies of fish, animals and people who come into contact with them," it said.

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"However currently there is limited evidence that exposure to PFAS causes adverse human health effects."

The EPA said it was managing and cleaning up sites where the chemicals were located.

According to the federal government, exposure to PFAS should be minimised despite the lack of current evidence of any significant health effects.

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