A new scientific investigation has found that several popular beers sold in the United States contain concerning levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistence in the environment and resistance to natural degradation.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, reveals that some beer brands exceed the maximum contaminant levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific PFAS compounds. The findings raise fresh concerns about the widespread presence of these substances in everyday consumer products and their potential health implications.
PFAS comprise a group of approximately 12,000 synthetic chemicals widely used for their resistance to water, oil, and heat. Common applications include nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, fast food packaging, and electronics. Among these, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are particularly notorious, having been linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health issues in previous research.
The latest study, led by Jennifer Hoponick Redmon of the Research Triangle Institute, analyzed 23 types of beer purchased from retail outlets in North Carolina. These included products from breweries in 10 U.S. states, as well as imports from Mexico and the Netherlands. Using EPA’s Method 533 for detecting PFAS in drinking water, researchers identified at least one PFAS compound in nearly every beer tested.
Notably, two beers from breweries located in the upper Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina and one from Michigan were found to contain PFOA levels that exceeded the EPA’s maximum thresholds. A beer brewed in the lower Cape Fear River Basin also surpassed limits for PFOS. The findings pointed to a strong correlation between PFAS concentrations in municipal tap water and those found in beer produced with that water.
“North Carolina beers, particularly those brewed near the Cape Fear River, exhibited a broader spectrum of PFAS types than beers from other regions such as Michigan and California,” the research team stated. This variation reflects the diverse sources of PFAS contamination within different geographic areas.
Comparatively, beer samples from the Netherlands and Mexico contained significantly lower levels of PFAS, suggesting that the contamination in those countries may be less severe or more tightly regulated.
The research underscores how local water quality can directly affect consumer products. Since beer is primarily composed of water, its contamination can serve as a mirror reflecting broader environmental exposure to PFAS.
“Our findings indicate a strong association between PFAS in drinking water and PFAS levels in beer,” the authors concluded. “Beer brewed in areas with elevated PFAS concentrations in tap water also exhibited higher levels of these chemicals, highlighting municipal water as a critical contamination pathway.”
As concern grows over PFAS exposure and regulatory agencies tighten standards, the study adds to mounting evidence that these pervasive chemicals extend beyond industrial sites and into daily consumption, prompting calls for improved monitoring and mitigation efforts.
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