Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Korean study links finfish intake to higher levels of persistent chemicals
Researchers studied seafood intake and chemical exposure in Korean adults using data collected from 2021 to 2023.
They compared six categories, including finfish, shellfish, crustaceans and seaweed.
Higher finfish intake was associated with higher levels of several persistent chemicals in participants’ blood, including PFAS, mercury and some PCBs.
Seafood is an important source of nutrients, but some types can also carry chemicals that persist in the environment and the body.
The researchers examined whether PFAS could help explain a link between finfish intake and gamma-glutamyl transferase, a marker of liver health.
The findings show associations, not proof that eating finfish caused the chemical levels or changes in health; the study does not say what happens next.
A study of Korean adults linked higher finfish intake with higher levels of several persistent chemicals.
With each doubling of finfish intake, serum PFAS concentrations were 4.4% to 14.1% higher, blood mercury was 13.2% higher, and six of seven measured serum PCBs were 4.8% to 13% higher.
The researchers also examined whether PFAS could mediate a relationship between seafood intake and the liver-health marker γ-glutamyl transferase.
The study used data from the fifth cycle of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey, conducted from 2021 to 2023.
- Who
- Researchers studying Korean adults.
- What
- The study linked finfish intake with higher levels of several persistent chemicals and examined links with health markers.
- When
- Survey data were collected from 2021 to 2023. The article was published on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- To investigate associations between seafood intake, persistent chemical levels, and health biomarkers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The fifth cycle of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey was conducted.
News-Medical published an article about the study.
- Study population
- 4,279 participants in the survey cycle
- Chemical-measurement subsample
- 1,564 participants
- Average participant age
- 48.8 years
- Median seafood consumption
- About 14 servings per month
- Finfish and serum PFAS
- 4.4% to 14.1% higher with each doubling of intake
- Finfish and blood mercury
- 13.2% higher with each doubling of intake