Nearly half of U.S. tap water turns up ‘forever chemicals’ — who’s most at risk?

“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” said USGS research hydrologist Kelly Smalling, the study’s lead author.

“The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS — of those that were monitored — could be present in nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. [And] PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells,” Smalling said.

The study shows that Americans living in urban areas are most at risk to exposure to PFAs, while those living in rural areas are less at risk. Underlying health issues can affect the impact the presence of PFAs has on any individual regardless of address. The urban areas most likely to turn up PFAS in the water are in the Great Plains, the Great Lakes, along the Eastern Seaboard and in central and southern California, according to the USGS.

PFAs are ubiquitous in modern lifestyles. They’re part of the manufacturing of everything from stain-resistant and waterproof clothing to non-stick cookware, cosmetics, dental floss and toilet paper. Even newborn babies have been found to carry these chemicals in their bloodstream, according to at least one study.

There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, not all of which can be detected with current tests; the USGS study tested for the presence of 32 types. Some PFAS were first created as part of World War II-era atomic-bomb campaigns and later pushed into wider use.

Exposure to some of the chemicals has been linked to cancer, liver damage, fertility, thyroid problems, asthma and other health concerns.

Due to water runoff and the sometimes careless disposal of products, “forever chemicals” can have a far-reaching impact. They do not break down in the environment, meaning they seep into soil and groundwater, as well as rivers and creeks. As many as 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in their tap water, according to a separate peer-reviewed 2020 study.

So, who’s responsible? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public water supplies, and homeowners are on the hook for the maintenance, testing and treatment of private water supplies.

Announced earlier this year, the EPA advanced proposals that would require near-zero levels of PFAs in manufacturing and other uses.

Related: Cancer-linked PFAS — known as ‘forever chemicals’ — could be banned in drinking water for first time

The EPA’s proposal sets a much higher bar than previous regulations.

The regulatory push has also called for manufacturers and retailers to take a stand against using PFAS, which some trade groups have already done. Critics of the chemicals industry and other manufacturing interests say the release of information has been too slow, equating the response in part to the slow drip of information on health risks from the tobacco sector in the 20th century.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, has said the primary two chemicals newly targeted by the EPA were largely phased out of production by its members eight years ago.

Read: World Water Day raises alarm for groundwater and ‘forever chemicals’ — how to invest

Homeowners interested in testing and treating private wells can contact their local and state EPA officials for guidance. Testing is the only way to confirm the presence of these contaminants in wells. For more information about PFAS regulations, visit the EPA’s site on addressing PFAS.