The plight of American drinking water contamination has recently been cast into the spotlight with the release of an alarming study exposing widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistent nature.

These synthetic chemicals, which have been produced since the 1940s, are not only found in a plethora of household products such as nonstick pans, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams, but also now, it appears, in the water we drink.

This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, draws on a comprehensive data set from over 12,000 surface water and 33,900 groundwater samples collected globally.

According to the researchers, a staggering 69 percent of these samples contained PFAS levels above the safety threshold set by Canada, while 6 percent exceeded the European Union’s standard.

The United States has not escaped this environmental predicament. The study identifies several ‘hot spots’ where PFAS concentrations surpass the European Union’s drinking water limit, particularly in New England, the Midwest, and the West Coast.

Denis O’Carroll, a professor at the University of New South Wales and study author, elucidates the gravity of the situation: “We’re talking above five percent, and it goes over 50 percent in some cases.”

The health implications are significant. PFAS exposure is associated with a plethora of adverse health outcomes including increased cholesterol levels, blood pressure, immune dysfunction, reproductive issues, and a higher risk of certain cancers. These concerns are now being taken seriously at the federal level.

On April 10, the Biden administration announced the first enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new limits for some of the most toxic PFAS types, with PFOA and PFOS having a limit of 4 parts per trillion and others set at 10 parts per trillion.

“Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan remarked. The new standards aim to protect millions from these harmful chemicals and are a pivotal component of the administration’s broader PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

This move was long-awaited. Previously, the lack of a nationwide standard meant that states set their own limits, leading to a patchwork of regulations across the country.

The findings of the Nature Geoscience study emphasize the urgency of this issue, revealing that PFAS are not isolated incidents but rather a systemic problem affecting water systems across the country. “PFAS contamination has been identified in drinking water in all 50 states,” Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director of International SOS, concurs with the widespread nature of this problem.

The administration’s actions are buttressed by substantial funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, dedicating $1 billion to help water systems and private wells address PFAS.

This should help to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with meeting the new standards and underscores the federal commitment to tackling the issue head-on.

In the backdrop of these developments, communities nationwide may be reevaluating their relationship with water, what flows from their taps, and the invisible chemicals it may carry.

For the millions potentially affected, the hope is that this mapping and subsequent regulatory action will pave the way for cleaner, safer drinking water – a resource that should be a basic human right, not a chemical cocktail.