Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) have issued new advisories regarding the consumption of fish and deer in the Town of Stella and surrounding waterbodies in Oneida County. The advisories are a response to findings of elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), in local wildlife.

According to the agencies, a “Do Not Eat” advisory has been placed on all fish species from several lakes and streams in the area. This includes Moen Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake (collectively known as the Moen Chain of Lakes), Sunset Lake, Starks Creek (upstream to and including Starks Spring), and Snowden Lake. The DNR collected fish samples from these waterbodies as part of ongoing contaminant monitoring efforts. Testing revealed that PFOS levels were elevated in all sampled fish tissue.

Based on these results and updated consumption guidelines that incorporate recent scientific findings about PFOS exposure risks, both departments recommend not eating any fish caught from these waters. They also announced an updated advisory for the Moen Lake Chain and new advisories for Snowden Lake, Sunset Lake, and Starks Creek upstream to Starks Spring.

For deer harvested within a five-mile radius of the Town of Stella's town hall, new guidance has also been issued due to PFAS contamination detected in local wildlife. Hunters who participated in sampling during the 2024 hunting season provided muscle and liver samples from deer harvested within three miles of Stella’s town hall. In total, 11 deer were tested by DNR and DHS staff.

Test results showed elevated PFAS concentrations in venison muscle tissue from deer taken within this area. As a result, health officials now recommend limiting consumption to one meal per month for venison harvested inside this five-mile zone. The advisory is stricter regarding liver tissue: "Do Not Eat" guidance applies due to significant accumulation found there.

"The liver filters chemicals from the blood, and some chemicals, like PFAS, can accumulate in the liver over time," according to information provided by DHS and DNR officials. "These findings suggest that eating liver from deer in this area is likely to result in significant PFAS exposure. DHS and DNR recommend people not eat liver harvested from deer within the advisory area."

Officials stress that following these consumption advisories will help reduce personal exposure to PFAS-contaminated tissues: "Following fish and wildlife consumption advisories will help protect you from consuming PFAS-contaminated tissue, which can cause the chemicals to accumulate in the body."

PFAS compounds have been widely used since mid-20th century in products such as non-stick cookware coatings, food packaging materials like fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays for fabrics or carpets, as well as firefighting foams often used at airports or military bases. These chemicals can enter soil or water through spills involving materials containing PFAS or through wastewater discharges after use at industrial sites.

Health authorities note that regularly eating contaminated fish or wild game with high levels of PFAS may increase health risks including higher cholesterol levels, weakened immune system response capabilities, decreased fertility among women and other possible effects; more detailed information about health concerns related to PFAS is available on both the DHS website as well as the DNR’s website.

A complete list of current statewide fish consumption recommendations can be accessed through the Choose Wisely booklet. Guidance specific to safe venison consumption practices is published on the DNR’s Safely Eating Venison webpage.