According to the researchers, at least one such synthetic chemical was found in 45% of the samples at concentrations above benchmarks and proposed U.S. regulations.
The USGS study examined tap water samples taken from more than 700 homes, businesses and drinking-water treatment facilities across the nation to check for the presence of PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.
According to a recent study, toxic “forever chemicals,” which are found in hundreds of everyday items like pizza boxes and cleaning supplies, are present in almost half of the tap water samples taken from across the United States.
According to the researchers, at least one such synthetic chemical was found in 45% of the samples at concentrations above benchmarks and proposed U.S. regulations.
PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, are water resistant, which means they do not degrade in the environment and persist for a long time in human bodies. Today, they are used in everything from clothing to plastic products. They were first developed in the 1940s with the development of Teflon, a non-stick cookware coating.
Prior research has measured the presence of PFAS in reservoirs, water treatment facilities, and ground water. But Kelly Smalling, a USGS hydrologist who oversaw the study, pointed out that tap water analysis enables a more precise assessment of what people are consuming.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to high levels of PFAS can interfere with hormones, affect liver function, raise the risk of kidney or testicular cancer, reduce birth weight in babies, and endanger the health of expectant mothers.
Only a small portion of the 12,000 known PFAS types have tests available. Between 2016 and 2021, samples for the study were collected from both public and private wells, and 32 types were analysed.
It was “very surprising,” according to Smalling, that there was no difference in PFAS exposure between samples from private wells and the public supply.
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates public water sources, but not private wells.
According to the study, those who live in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to PFAS in drinking water than those who live in rural areas.
The EPA first put forth a national standard for six PFAS in drinking water in March. It would necessitate the monitoring of public water systems and the reporting of any PFAS level overages.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Biden administration, nearly $10 billion was allocated to assist communities in reducing PFAS and other chemical contaminants.