The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be investigating the presence of “forever chemicals” in seafood, [to understand] how such contamination contributes to dietary exposures and public health.

The FDA has issued a request for information seeking scientific data on concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood, the surrounding environment, and processing water. The agency also said it would be looking for mitigation strategies for decreasing exposure to the compounds in this food supply.

Known for their ability to persist in the human body and the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of serious illnesses, including thyroid disease, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer. Many of these substances — of which there are thousands — have entered drinking water systems and food supplies due to their ubiquitous presence in waste streams and common household products.

“Addressing potential effects of Americans’ PFAS exposure is a national priority and is coordinated across several federal agencies,” the FDA said in a statement.

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