Toxic "forever chemicals" have been found in drinking water samples from around the world, new research has warned.
PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, are a class of chemicals that can be found in a range of everyday products, from toilet paper to food packaging, cosmetics and dental floss. Nicknamed forever chemicals, these compounds break down very slowly over time and stick around in their surrounding environment.
As a result, these chemicals can be found in soil, oceans and waterways around the world. Indeed, a 2023 study by the United States Geological Survey found that nearly half of the nation's tap water was contaminated by some sort of PFAS.
In a new study, led by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the U.K. and Southern University of Science and Technology in China, two pervasive PFAS—called perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate—were detected in over 99 percent of bottled water samples from 15 countries globally.
Natural mineral water contained higher concentrations than purified water. But why is this a problem?
Numerous studies have found associations between PFAS and increased blood cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced immunity, reproductive issues and an increased risk of certain cancers, according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
However, exactly how much of a risk these chemicals pose is still unclear, and the concentrations found in the bottled water samples tested were generally below health advisory levels set by regulatory agencies.
"While current PFAS levels in most water samples are not a major health concern, ongoing monitoring and regulation are crucial to protect public health," co-author Stuart Harrad, a professor at the University of Birmingham, said in a statement.
Oliver Jones, a professor of chemistry at RMIT University in Australia who was not involved in the research, said: "The mere presence of something does not mean it will automatically cause harm. Any discussion about toxicity is meaningless without both dose and context.
"While PFAS have been linked to a range of health effects, the concentrations of PFAS needed to cause such effects are much higher than the levels reported in this study."
For those who do still want to avoid PFAS exposure, the researchers had some good news: they can mostly be removed using simple household solutions. For example, boiling or passing the water through an activated carbon filter jug can reduce levels by up to 90 percent.
"Our findings highlight the widespread presence of PFAS in drinking water and the effectiveness of simple treatment methods to reduce their levels," Harrad said. "Either using a simple water filtration jug or boiling the water removes a substantial proportion of these substances."
Co-author Yi Zheng, a professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, added: "Increased awareness about the presence of PFAS in both tap and bottled water can lead to more informed choices by consumers, encouraging the use of water purification methods."
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References
Gao, C., Drage, D. S., Abdallah, M. A.-E., Quan, F., Zhang, K., Hu, S., Zhao, X., Zheng, Y., Harrad, S., & Qiu. W. (2024). Factors Influencing Concentrations of PFAS in Drinking Water: Implications for Human Exposure. ACS ES&T Water. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00533
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