A new study reveals that chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), found primarily in prescription drugs and other consumer products, are contaminating the drinking water of millions of Americans.
These compounds, known for their resistance to degradation, end up being dumped into rivers and lakes by wastewater treatment plants, which are unable to remove them adequately.
This is because current treatment technologies, used by 70% of the US population, cannot filter these chemicals, which can return to the drinking water supply.
The study by Bridger Ruyle, an environmental engineering scientist at NYU, and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesestimates that approximately 23 million Americans are exposed to these chemicals through wastewater.
Other study findings
- PFAS are problematic because they remain in the environment and in the human body for long periods and can cause a range of health problems, such as thyroid problems, infertility and some types of cancer.
- Although people are exposed to these compounds in a variety of ways, drinking water is one of the most concerning sources.
- Nearly half of drinking water in the US is contaminated with PFAS, and wastewater treatment plants play an important role in this process, receiving contaminated water from homes and industries.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented rules in 2024 to reduce concentrations of six PFAS in drinking water, the study found that the compounds regulated by the EPA represented only 8% of the chemicals present in the samples analyzed.
Most were other PFAS and pharmaceuticals. The use of PFAS by the pharmaceutical industry is an additional factor, as these compounds are difficult to degrade, both in the human body and in treatment plants.
Climate change worsens the situation, as drought reduces the amount of natural water available to dilute chemicals in wastewater, while the production of human wastewater continues.
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In drought-prone regions, wastewater reuse has already become an important source of drinking water, making these systems more vulnerable to contamination.
Experts say the best solution would be to prevent PFAS from entering the environment, rather than relying solely on expensive, advanced treatment technologies.
Experts recommend that people filter their tap water to reduce exposure, but the long-term solution lies in preventing the use of PFAS and improving wastewater treatment technologies.
The research highlights the importance of better understanding the sources of these compounds to reduce their presence in the environment and protect public health.
