The U.S. Geological Survey has detected the toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in public and private drinking water wells in 16 Eastern states.
USGS announced the findings in a new study designed to assess the contamination of five aquifers that are important sources of drinking water. PFAS were detected in public and private drinking water wells in Ala., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., Mass., Maine, Miss., N.H., Ohio, Penn., R.I., S.C., Tenn., and W.V.
The study detected 14 different PFAS, and most frequently found PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS — some of the most notorious and well-studied PFAS.
USGS took 254 samples and found PFAS in 60 percent of wells serving public water systems. It found PFAS in 20 percent of wells serving individual households. Water was most likely to be contaminated with PFAS if the aquifer was newly filled, or the well was near a fire training site, near an urban area, or had increased organic material.
At least one type of PFAS was detected in 54 percent of the samples, and two or more PFAS were found in 47 percent of the samples. In addition to PFOA and PFOS, the most common PFAS detected include PFBS, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFNA, PFBA, PFPeA, and PFHxA.
“It’s very troubling that PFAS were detected so frequently,” said Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president for government affairs.
The highest detection collected was 1,500 parts per trillion of PFOA, found in a community water well in West Virginia.
PFAS are found in the blood of most U.S. citizens, including newborn babies. Very low doses of PFAS have been linked to suppression of the immune system and are associated with an elevated risk of cancer, increased cholesterol, reproductive harms and other health concerns.
Thousands of communities have already detected these toxic forever chemicals in their water, and PFAS have been confirmed at nearly 400 military installations.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s current PFAS roadmap proposes to set a drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS by 2023 and take steps to restrict industrial releases of PFAS into the air and water.
