More Americans than ever are learning that the water coming from the tap may not be safe.
The latest federal tests reveal a troubling reality. Another 7 million Americans have confirmed to put PFA in drinking water, bringing the national total to over 172 million people.
These findings come from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing review of national water supplies, highlighting the broad range of toxic chemicals that refuse to break down in the environment.
Dr. David Andrews, acting Chief Science Officer of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), emphasized the importance of the findings.
“Drinking water is the main source of exposure to PFA. The number of contaminated sites indicates that these chemicals are likely to be present in most water supplies in the US.”
PFA and why they matter
PFAS stands for mere fluoroalkyl substances, a class of manufactured chemicals that are often referred to as “eternal chemicals” because they last in the environment and the human body.
Once released, they do not deteriorate naturally and can accumulate in water, soil, wildlife, and people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has discovered PFA in the blood of almost every American, including infants, reflecting how extensive these chemicals have become.
Even at extremely low levels, exposure is associated with immune system suppression, certain cancers, fetal developmental disorders, and reduced vaccine efficacy.
What the new EPA tests discovered
The results come from the 5th Unregulated Contamination Monitoring Rules (UCMR 5), a national program required by water utilities to test 29 different PFA compounds.
The new data confirmed contamination in more than 200 additional locations nationwide. The EWG has created an interactive map of contamination sites across the country.
Surveillance efforts are still underway, but the EPA says it will continue to release its findings in stages over the coming months.
The new dataset will be added to attaching evidence that PFA contamination is not isolated, but instead is a whole-body water safety issue affecting every corner of the US.
Regulatory rollback puts protection at risk
Despite increasing evidence regarding their danger, the EPA has announced plans to roll back drinking water standards for four PFAS chemicals.
These limits are known as the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) and set forth a forcing threshold for the amount of material allowed in tap water.
By weakening other PFA standards, EWG experts warn that it can make it difficult to hold contaminants accountable and ensure safe drinking water.
Critics argue that the move could contradict the “anti-backsliding” provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Industrial sources and widespread pollution
One of the biggest contributors to PFA in drinking water is industrial pollution.
An estimated 30,000 facilities in the US are thought to release PFA into the environment. They often enter directly into rivers, lakes, or groundwater sources that supply drinking water to the community.
Historically, PFA has been used in everything from non-stick cooking utensils and waterproof clothing to fire-fighting foam and food packaging.
Without stronger restrictions on industrial runoff, pollution is expected to continue to spread.
What does this mean for the community?
For many households, concerns about PFA in drinking water are no longer hypothetical. They are reality.
Families are now forced to consider the water filters of their homes as protection, but experts warn that filters should be properly maintained and replaced regularly to maintain effectiveness.
Public health advocates emphasize that individual consumers should not be held responsible.
Instead, they seek comprehensive action from the federal government to reduce source pollution, enforce stronger standards, and cleanse existing pollution.
The road ahead
With more UCMR 5 results released, the true scale of PFA in drinking water becomes clearer.
Latest data already shows that nearly half of the US population may be drinking contaminated water, making it one of the most urgent environmental health crises.
Without decisive federal action, families across the country could continue to face exposure to toxic chemicals every time they turn on tap.
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