A recent study indicates that over 20 per cent of people across the continental United States may be consuming drinking water contaminated with harmful substances known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often referred to as "forever chemicals." This finding was published in the October 24 issue of Science Advances by the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS), revealing that between 75 to 95 million Americans depend on groundwater that contains detectable concentrations of these chemicals. The lead investigator, Andrea Tokranov, a hydrologist with the USGS, expressed concern over the findings, stating, “This study’s results indicate widespread PFAS contamination in groundwater utilized for both public and private drinking water supplies in the United States.” Given the potential health risks associated with PFAS exposure, these findings are especially troubling.
To help the public understand their risk, the USGS has developed an interactive online map that allows people to check the likelihood of groundwater contamination in their specific areas. Tokranov explained the importance of this tool, stating, “This new predictive model can help prioritize areas for future sampling to ensure people aren’t unknowingly drinking contaminated water.” This is particularly vital for private well users who may lack information on water quality and have limited access to testing and treatment resources compared to those on public water supplies.
The study involved analysed ov.