MDHHS Issues ‘Do Not Eat’ Fish PFOS Advisories For Multiple Southwest Michigan Waterbodies

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is usually associated with fishing regulations, but the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also plays a role with regard to water quality. MDHHS has begun to test fish from Michigan's inland lakes for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) compounds and it is finding contamination:

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2025/09/10/do-not-eat

MDHHS issues all species ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisories for multiple southwest Michigan waterbodies
By Lynn Sutfin - September 10, 2025

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued new Do Not Eat fish advisories for all fish species taken from four waterbodies located in southwest Michigan. These advisories have been issued due to high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) found in the filets of fish taken from these waterbodies.

The Do Not Eat advisories apply to all fish species taken from the following waterbodies:

• Hopewell Indian Mounds Pond in Wyoming.
• Luvis Lake in Grandville.
• Porter Lake in Grandville.
• Spelman Lake located at the Wyoming Clean Water Plant.

“We recommend that no one eat fish listed as Do Not Eat, regardless of age or health,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “When these fish were tested, MDHHS found high levels of PFOS, and we want Michiganders to be aware that eating fish from these waterbodies could possibly lead to health problems in the future.”

PFOS is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that is not naturally found in the environment and can be harmful to health. PFOS is a chemical of concern when eating fish. PFOS cannot be removed by trimming away the fat on the fish because the chemical is stored in the muscle, the portion that is eaten. Potential health problems from exposure to PFOS by eating fish include:

• Harm to thyroid function.
• Changes in immune response.
• Increases in LDL and total cholesterol levels.
• Harm to liver function.
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia.

To ensure Michigan families are informed of this new guidance as soon as possible, these advisories are being issued prior to the publication of the 2026 Eat Safe Fish (ESF) Guides.

To help publicize these new advisories, Do Not Eat signs will be offered to the communities where these waterbodies are located for posting.

The PFOS levels found in the filets of fish taken from these waterbodies ranged from 74.4 to 514.3 parts per billion (ppb). The ESF program issues Do Not Eat advisories when the average level of PFOS found in the fish filets exceeds 49.6 ppb. Details on the ESF program’s process for determining fish consumption advisories, including Do Not Eat advisories, can be found in the Michigan Fish Consumption Advisory Program guidance document.

For more information on the Eat Safe Fish Program, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish or call the MDHHS Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942.