Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Found in All North and Baltic Sea Fish Tested, Raising Health Concerns
New Greenpeace inquiry reveals widespread PFAS contamination in popular seafood, prompting calls for a complete ban on the chemicals.
A disturbing new report released by Greenpeace on October 13, 2025, reveals that mussels and othre seafood sampled from the North and Baltic Seas contain harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The findings have sparked alarm among environmental groups and prompted a response from the Federal Habitat agency, which described the spread of PFAS as “very worrying.”
The environmental association examined 17 samples of commonly consumed seafood – including herring, turbot, plaice, and North sea crabs – purchased from markets and directly from fishermen along the northern German coast.Laboratory analysis, conducted to scientific standards, detected PFAS in every single sample. According to the report, a concerning “PFAS cocktail” comprised of multiple pollutants was found in 16 out of 17 samples.
PFAS, a group of thousands of different chemical compounds, are used in a wide range of products, from non-stick cookware and outdoor clothing to food packaging. Their persistence in the environment is a major concern,as they do not break down naturally and accumulate over time. “The extreme longevity of PFAS, which leads to irreversible environmental exposure and accumulation, is a cause for great concern,” a spokesman for the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) stated.
The analysis revealed notably high concentrations of toxic PFAS compounds, including PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). Plaice from Hamburg, turbot from Niendorf, and crabs from bremerhaven contained seven different PFAS substances. In three samples – plaice, herring, and turbot – levels exceeded EU limits, indicating these fish should not be sold for consumption. while most samples adhered to current limit values,Greenpeace warns that regular consumption of contaminated seafood could pose a meaningful health risk. Individuals consuming these products twice a week or more might potentially be exposed to concentrations several times higher than those deemed safe by the European Environmental Agency (EFSA).
The potential health effects of PFAS exposure are far-reaching. Scientists have linked these chemicals to liver damage, immune system disruption, reproductive issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers. US authorities and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified PFOA as “probably carcinogenic” in relation to kidney and testicular cancer.The exact long-term effects of many PFAS compounds remain largely unexplored, with toxic effects frequently enough discovered only gradually.
In response to these findings, Greenpeace is renewing its call for a complete ban on PFAS.Julios Kontchou, an ecotoxicologist at Greenpeace, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The food and environmental authorities are called upon here. There is an urgent need for comprehensive tests and consumption recommendations derived from them. And we finally need stricter measures to stop the release of PFAS, at least in the future.” A recent investigation by the European Environment Office, which detected PFAS in the blood of 24 top EU politicians, further underscores the pervasive nature of the contamination. More than 100 environmental associations across Europe have joined the “banPFAS” campaign, advocating for a comprehensive prohibition of these chemicals.
However, the German Federal Environment Ministry has indicated it does not support a complete ban, arguing for a “differentiated handling of PFAS at the European level.” According to a statement, the goverment aims to reduce PFAS emissions where alternatives exist, but will allow exceptions for critical applications such as medical products and specialized protective clothing. “Where no alternatives yet exist, appropriate exceptions, transition periods and other measures should ensure that PFAS emissions are effectively reduced, but simultaneously occurring vital uses still remain possible,” the ministry stated.
The UBA, in collaboration with authorities in several other European countries, is currently developing a dossier to initiate a restriction procedure for the entire group of PFAS.This process is ongoing, signaling a growing recognition of the severity of the problem. The widespread presence of PFAS in the environment and the potential health risks they pose demand urgent action to protect both human health and the delicate ecosystems of the North and Baltic Seas.
