Final answer:
PFAS are human-made chemicals that have contaminated freshwater bodies, making fish and deer unsafe to consume due to bioaccumulation. PFAS can build up in the bodies of animals and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain, posing health risks to humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products. They are known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. The presence of PFAS in freshwater bodies has led to the contamination of fish and deer in inland Michigan, making them unsafe to consume. This is because PFAS can bioaccumulate in the bodies of these animals, meaning that they build up in their tissues over time.
When fish or deer ingest PFAS-contaminated water or food, the chemicals accumulate in their bodies and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. The top predators in the ecosystem, such as large fish or deer, end up having the highest levels of PFAS. When humans consume these contaminated animals, they may be exposed to high levels of PFAS, which can have adverse health effects.