“We know already that (PFAS) are impacting all of us...But we also know that there’s a lot of communities in the Bay that fish, and a lot of these communities tend to be underrepresented and more marginalized in the Bay.” 

-Miguel Méndez, quoted in CalMatters article

In late spring 2025, dozens of media outlets picked up the SFEI-led study that confirmed PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are widespread in ten species of popular fish to eat from San Francisco Bay, especially the South Bay. Besides the study results, coverage highlighted the impacts of PFAS ("forever chemicals"), how fishing practices impact different communities throughout the Bay, how advisories can help protect people's health, and SFEI's role in developing updated consumption surveys. 

Wide-Ranging Coverage

The following stories featured interviews with several of our Clean Water Program scientists as well as SFEI's senior community engagement specialist, Anthony Khalil, who provided his personal perspective as a lifelong San Francisco Bay fisher:

• San Francisco Bay fish are contaminated with levels of “forever chemicals” that could harm anglers (CalMatters)
  • Versions of this story were republished in SFGate, Berkeleyside, Patch SF, the Sonoma Press Democrat, Local News Matters, Northern California Public Media, the Marin Independent Journal, and the Oaklandside.
• "Forever chemicals" found in fish caught in San Francisco Bay, report warns (KPIX / CBS News)
• New study of San Francisco Bay fish confirms concentrations of PFAS aka 'forever chemicals' (KGO / ABC7)
  • This story was republished on MSN.
• Forever chemicals threaten SF Bay fishing community (SF Public Press)
  • Environmental Health News partially republished this article as part of their curated national news selection.
• Toxic Catch: Bay Area Communities at Risk from PFAS in Local Fish (KQED)
• ‘Forever chemicals’ found in San Francisco Bay fish (San Mateo Daily Journal)
• The People Will Keep Fishing, Despite Forever Chemicals in the Fish (Bay Nature)
• South Bay sport fish not such good eating (Maven's Notebook)
• SGS Supports Decadal Study on PFAS in San Francisco Bay Fish (SGS AXYS, press release)
• Researchers issue warning after uncovering ugly truth about fish caught in San Francisco Bay: 'That definitely harms us' (Yahoo News)
• Radio Hecho en California hosted a live radio segment featuring the study 

Our Selections

To The Point

For an overview, read San Francisco Bay fish are contaminated with levels of “forever chemicals” that could harm anglers (CalMatters).

Broadcast Clips

For three-minute evening news segments broadcast to the larger Bay Area, see "Forever chemicals" found in fish caught in San Francisco Bay, report warns (KPIX / CBS News) or New study of San Francisco Bay fish confirms concentrations of PFAS aka 'forever chemicals' (KGO / ABC7).

Deeper Dives

For in-depth features on human health and cultural implications, read Forever chemicals threaten SF Bay fishing community (SF Public Press) or The People Will Keep Fishing, Despite Forever Chemicals in the Fish (Bay Nature).

This project was funded by the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Learn more about ongoing work to monitor contaminated fish.