Millions of Americans drink water contaminated with toxic chemicals that never break down. Here’s what you need to know.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, food packaging, and waterproof clothing.
They’re called “forever chemicals” because their carbon-fluorine bonds — among the strongest in chemistry — never break down in the environment or the human body.
A 2023 USGS study found PFAS in 45% of tap water samples nationwide. EWG’s database maps over 3,000 contaminated sites across all 50 states.
🔴 Michigan — Home to Camp Grayling and multiple Superfund sites
🔴 California — Military base runoff, firefighting foam
🔴 New York — Long Island aquifer severely contaminated
🔴 North Carolina — Chemours Fayetteville Works plant discharge
🔴 Colorado — Peterson Air Force Base contamination
🔬 Cancer: Kidney, testicular, bladder cancers linked to PFAS exposure
🔬 Thyroid disease and hormonal disruption
🔬 Immune suppression — reduces vaccine effectiveness in children
🔬 Reproductive harm — pregnancy complications, reduced fertility
🔬 Elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
In April 2024, the EPA set the first-ever federal drinking water standard for PFAS. Utilities have until 2029 to comply — protecting an estimated 100 million Americans.
The rule is the most significant drinking water regulation in decades — but faces industry legal challenges.
✅ Use a PFAS-certified filter (NSF/ANSI 58 or 62) — reverse osmosis removes 90%+
✅ Check EWG’s Tap Water Database for your zip code
✅ Avoid non-stick cookware with PTFE coating; switch to cast iron or stainless
✅ Choose PFAS-free packaging — avoid grease-resistant fast food wrappers
✅ Skip “waterproof” clothing treated with DWR (durable water repellent) when possible
The Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $9 billion to clean up PFAS in drinking water and helped set the EPA’s 2024 standard.
3M, DuPont, and Chemours have settled PFAS lawsuits for over $13 billion to help fund remediation of public water systems.
PFAS contamination is one of America’s most urgent environmental health crises. Clean water is a right — demand accountability from utilities, industries, and lawmakers.
Read the full investigation and learn what your local water utility is doing about PFAS.