A new study has revealed that nearly half of U.S. tap water samples contain "forever chemicals," substances used in hundreds of household items ranging from cleaning products to pizza boxes. Widespread exposure to these chemicals could pose significant health risks. The study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, tested drinking water samples from over 700 homes, businesses, and water treatment plants across the country to detect this type of chemical. Researchers found at least one chemical in 45% of the samples at levels exceeding proposed U.S. standards and regulations.
These chemicals are water-resistant, meaning they do not break down in the environment and can remain in the human body for years. They were developed in the 1940s during the production of non-stick Teflon coatings used in cookware, as well as in everything today from clothing to plastic products. Kelly Smalling, a water scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey who led the research, explained that “previous studies measured these substances in groundwater and water reservoirs, but analyzing drinking water allows for a more accurate assessment of what people are consuming.”
Smalling noted that “there was no difference in exposure to these types of chemicals between samples taken from private wells and public supply sources, which was quite surprising.” According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to these substances at high levels can disrupt hormone function, impair liver function, increase the risk of kidney or testicular cancer, reduce birth weights in infants, and pose risks to the health of pregnant women.
Testing was conducted on a small fraction of the known varieties of these substances, numbering 12,000. The study examined 32 types in samples collected from public supply sources and private wells between 2016 and 2021. The findings indicated that those living in urban areas are at higher risk of encountering these chemicals in their drinking water compared to those in rural areas.
In March, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first-ever national standard to measure six types of these substances in drinking water. This requires monitoring of public water systems and reporting when these levels exceed the set limits. Nearly $10 billion has been directed to help communities reduce these and other chemical contaminants under bipartisan infrastructure legislation from President Joe Biden's administration.
