What to do about ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, as tests show millions more are exposed

More than 11 million additional people have the toxic “forever chemicals,” per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals known as PFAS, in their drinking water, new tests of the nation’s drinking water supply by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show. The tests confirm the presence of one or more PFAS compounds at 2,394 locations.

PFAS contaminated drinking water

When added to previously collected federal and state data, the recent tests of 29 different PFAS compounds show that more than 143 million Americans are at risk from drinking water tainted by PFAS.

“The EPA’s latest report confirms what scientists have feared: PFAS contamination is a public health disaster,” David Andrews, Ph.D., deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, said in a statement. “Drinking water is a major source of PFAS exposure. The sheer number of contaminated sites shows that these chemicals are likely present in most of the U.S. water supply.”

Health risks of PFAS exposure

PFAS are toxic at low levels. They’re known as forever chemicals because once released into the environment, they don’t break down, and they can build up in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PFAS in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies. 

Low doses of PFAS have been linked to suppression of the immune system. Studies show exposure to PFAS can also increase the risk of cancer, harm fetal development, and reduce vaccine effectiveness. 

Home water filtration

Andrews said there are home water filters designed to reduce PFAS levels, and they also help remove other contaminants. 

For people who know of or suspect the presence of PFAS in their tap water, a home filtration system is the most efficient way to reduce exposure, he said.

EWG researchers tested 10 water filters to evaluate how well they reduced PFAS levels in home tap water.

Consumers can check EWG’s Tap Water Database to find out whether PFAS and other toxic chemicals contaminate their water. 

Standards at risk

The EWG is concerned the upcoming Trump administration may weaken or eliminate new federal drinking water standards for six PFAS.

The new EPA test results show that more than 45.7 million people in states with no PFAS drinking water regulations are now exposed to levels of PFAS above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level.

With no state-level safeguards, Andrews said, these millions of people need to rely on the federal standard as protection from the health risks of PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

The new data contribute to information showing 8,865 locations have PFAS detected in their water – across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.

Revoking or weakening new drinking water standards for six PFAS – as many supporters of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed – could leave nearly 46 million people with no protection, according to an analysis by the EWG. 

“Almost everywhere we look, we find more PFAS,” said Andrews.