At least 45% of the nation's tap water is estimated to contain one or more types of chemicals known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, and not all of them can be detected with current tests; the USGS study tested for the presence of 32 types
The study analyzed 32 individual PFAS compounds using a method developed by the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory. The most frequently detected compounds in this study were PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOA. Interim health advisories issued by the EPA in 2022 for PFOS and PFOA were exceeded in all samples in which they were detected in this study.
Scientists collected tap water samples from 716 locations representing a range of low, medium, and high human impact areas. The low category includes protected lands; Medium includes residential and rural areas with no known sources of PFAS; and High includes urban areas and locations with reported sources of PFAS, such as industries or waste sites.
A USGS map of the U.S. with dots representing tap water sampling sites across the country, ranging in size and shade from blue to
Sources/Usage: Public domain. View media details
This USGS map shows the amount of PFAS detected in tap water samples from selected sites across the country. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from public and private supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only places in the U.S. with PFAS.
Most exposure was observed near urban areas and potential sources of PFAS. This included the Great Plains, Great Lakes, East Coast, and Central and Southern California regions.
At least 45% of the nation's tap water is estimated to contain one or more types of chemicals known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, and not all of them can be detected with current tests; the USGS study tested for the presence of 32 types
The study analyzed 32 individual PFAS compounds using a method developed by the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory. The most frequently detected compounds in this study were PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOA. Interim health advisories issued by the EPA in 2022 for PFOS and PFOA were exceeded in all samples in which they were detected in this study.
Scientists collected tap water samples from 716 locations representing a range of low, medium, and high human impact areas. The low category includes protected lands; Medium includes residential and rural areas with no known sources of PFAS; and High includes urban areas and locations with reported sources of PFAS, such as industries or waste sites.
A USGS map of the U.S. with dots representing tap water sampling sites across the country, ranging in size and shade from blue to
Sources/Usage: Public domain. View media details
This USGS map shows the amount of PFAS detected in tap water samples from selected sites across the country. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from public and private supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only places in the U.S. with PFAS.
Most exposure was observed near urban areas and potential sources of PFAS. This included the Great Plains, Great Lakes, East Coast, and Central and Southern California regions.
https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us (2023)