GSL waterfowl show increase in harmful chemicals, officials update consumption guidelines

SALT LAKE CITY – Health and environmental officials said elevated levels of harmful chemicals have been found in waterfowl harvested from the Great Salt Lake. Now, they’re updating consumption advisories to prevent long-term health effects.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources discovered elevated levels of mercury and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, otherwise known as PFOS, in some species of waterfowl, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Department of Health & Human Services said in a joint release.

Impacted species include the Northern shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard species.

“Migratory waterfowl from a wide geographic area may be exposed to environmental contaminants,” officials said in a release. “They may create