A new study finds nearly half of Americans’ drinking water is contaminated by “forever chemicals” or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The new data released by the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that more than 158 million people across the U.S. were exposed these compounds in their drinking water—15 million more than had previously been reported—out of a total population of 340 million.
With only 57 percent of the nation’s water systems fully reporting in March, more data is expected to be released in the coming months, which could increase the current results.
““The EPA’s latest report confirms what scientists have feared: PFAS contamination is a public health disaster,” David Andrews, deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), said.
These results are part of the EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), which tests the nation’s drinking water supply for 29 individual PFAS compounds. According to a press release, this round of data finds one or more PFAS compound at 2,719 locations with more UCMR 5 results to come in the next few months.
“Drinking water is a major source of PFAS exposure,” Andrews said. “The sheer number of contaminated sites shows that these chemicals are likely present in most of the U.S. water supply.”
According to a press release, only 77 percent of systems had reported any results, while 57 percent had reported a full set of test results.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in consumer products and fire fighting foam and have accumulated in the environment since the 1940s because of their “resistance to degradation.” Since they they do not break down in the environment, they can build up in the body and are present in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Different studies confirm even low exposure to PFAS have been linked to a suppressed immune system, an increased risk of cancer and other negative health impacts. Environmental Working Group scientists estimated in a 2020 study that 200 million Americans were exposed to PFAS levels of 1 part per trillion of higher in drinking water, according to a press release.
“Everyone deserves access to clean water, and it shouldn’t fall to consumers alone to filter PFAS from their tap water,” Andrews said. “Some home water filters are designed to reduce PFAS levels. They also help remove other contaminants, providing a broader benefit. But regular filter replacement is key. An old filter can make PFAS levels worse than untreated tap water.”
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