USGS Study Reveals Widespread PFAS Contamination in Groundwater
Up to 95 million Americans may rely on drinking water with detectable levels of 'forever chemicals,' posing potential health risks.
- The US Geological Survey estimates that over 20% of the US population may use groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking.
- PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' are synthetic substances found in everyday products and linked to health risks like cancer and high cholesterol.
- The study provides the first national estimates of PFAS presence in untreated groundwater for both public and private wells.
- States with the highest potential exposure include Florida, California, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
- USGS has developed an interactive map showing PFAS contamination probabilities to aid public awareness and guide future water safety measures.