FRIDAY, Oct. 18, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- PFAS “forever chemicals” can be found in drinking water around the world, whether it comes from a tap or a bottle, a new study warns. Ten specific PFAS chemicals were found in samples of bottled and tap water sourced from 15 countries around the world, researchers report.
For example, the chemicals PFOA and PFOS were detected in more than 99% of bottled water samples tested. However, researchers also found that boiling water or running it through a carbon filter can substantially reduce PFAS levels in drinking water, lowering them from 50% to 90%. “Our findings highlight the widespread presence of PFAS in drinking water and the effectiveness of simple treatment methods to reduce their levels,” said researcher Stuart Harrad , a professor of environmental chemistry with the University of Birmingham.
“Either using a simple water filtration jug or boiling the water removes a substantial proportion of these substances.” For the study, researchers tested 112 bottled water samples from shops and online stores in the U.K.
and China. The samples covered 87 brands, with water sources originating from 15 countries in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, researchers said. Overall, PFAS chemicals were detected in 63% of bottled waters.
There was no significant difference in PFAS levels between waters in glass or plastic containers, or between still and sparkling bottled waters, researchers said. They also tested 41 tap water sample.