Opening up cold things – and potential health concerns.
A new study reveals that PFAS chemicals, also known as “eternal chemicals,” are present in 95% of tested beers brewed throughout the United States.
Famous for its sustainability to the environment and potential health risks, these human compounds are increasingly appearing in unexpected places that contain their favorite pints.
This study found a strong correlation between PFA levels in local water supplies and beer brewed with that water.
As concerns extend to widespread PFA contamination, the findings suggest another routine product that is quietly affected by environmental pollution.
What are PFAS Chemicals?
PFA (1 and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic compounds used since the 1940s for water, oil and dye properties.
As is common in products such as non-stick cooking utensils, fire extinguishing foam, food packaging and waterproof clothing, these chemicals are now popular in air, soil and water around the world.
PFA is called Forever Chemicals because it cannot be decomposed naturally and accumulates in the human body and the environment over time.
Their widespread presence is increasingly detected, especially in drinking water supplies, leading to a growing public health concern.
Health risks of PFA exposure
Scientific research has linked long-term PFAS chemical exposure to several serious health risks. These include:
Hormonal destruction increases cholesterol levels and suppresses immune system development in children, increasing the risk of cancer, including kidney and testicular cancer
As PFA accumulates in the body over time, even low levels of exposure via multiple sources such as water, food, and current beer can exacerbate health concerns and raise health concerns.
How PFA drank beer
To investigate whether contamination of PFA in water could be extended to beer, researchers adapted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method for testing drinking water and applied it to 23 beer samples.
These included local craft beers with documented PFAS contaminated urban water and popular national and international brands brewed in areas with unknown water quality.
The results were surprising: PFAS chemicals were detected in 95% of beer samples. In particular, the highest concentrations were found in beer brewed near the Cape Fir River Basin in North Carolina. This is an area already known for important PFA contamination.
These beers included not only higher levels but also more diverse PFA compounds.
Is the brewery equipped to handle this issue?
Most breweries treat and filter the water, but current systems are not designed to remove PFAS chemicals.
Due to the tightening of EPA regulations on PFA in drinking water, breweries should invest in upgraded filtration techniques or sauce cleaner water, especially for compounds such as PFOA and PFO.
The authors of this study emphasize that brewers, regulators, and consumers need to be more aware of the risks of PFAS.
Addressing pollution at sources through stricter regulations on local government water systems upgrades or industrial emissions is key to reducing downstream impacts on food and beverages.
Wake-up calls for the industry and consumers
The presence of PFAS chemicals in beer highlights a wider range of issues. Environmental pollutants are not limited to the water we drink.
This study serves as a wake-up call for both industry and government to take stronger action against PFA pollution.
Until then, the next time you keep a glass, you may want toast not just hops and barley.
Source link
