Study Finds Millions of Americans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Through Treated Wastewater

New research reveals wastewater treatment plants fail to remove harmful forever chemicals and fluorinated pharmaceuticals, posing health risks to millions.

• An estimated 23 million Americans may consume drinking water contaminated with PFAS, synthetic 'forever chemicals' that persist in the environment and human body.
• Wastewater treatment plants discharge PFAS and fluorinated pharmaceuticals into rivers and lakes, which then reenter the drinking water supply.
• The Environmental Protection Agency regulates six PFAS compounds, but these account for only a small fraction of the hazardous fluorinated chemicals found in the study.
• Climate change exacerbates the problem, as droughts reduce natural water sources, concentrating wastewater contaminants in drinking water supplies.
• Researchers call for stricter regulations, improved wastewater treatment technologies, and reduced use of fluorinated compounds in pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

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