"Alarming Study Reveals Widespread PFAS Contamination in US Tap Water, Identifies High-Risk Group"

A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey reveals that nearly half of the tap water in the United States contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals linked to human illnesses such as cancer and thyroid disease. The study shows that Americans living in urban areas are most at risk, while those in rural areas are less at risk. PFAS were found to be more frequently present in urban areas, particularly in the Great Plains, Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, and Central and Southern California. The study suggests that consumers can use this information to evaluate their personal risk of exposure, explore treatment options for their drinking water, and engage in conversations with local health officials about the chemicals in their tap water. Efforts to regulate PFAS are underway, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposing a federal law to restrict and regulate PFAS in food and drinking water.