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PFAS Found in 95% of U.S. Beers, Exceeding EPA Limits in Some Cases

New research links municipal water contamination to PFAS levels in beer, raising health concerns and calls for improved water treatment systems.

Your beer may be infused with hazardous chemicals, according to a new study.
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Overview

  • A study published in Environmental Science & Technology detected PFAS in 95% of tested beers, including popular U.S. and international brands.
  • Beers brewed in areas with known PFAS-contaminated water sources, such as North Carolina's Cape Fear River Basin, had the highest levels and variety of PFAS compounds.
  • PFOS and PFOA, two PFAS chemicals linked to cancer, were found in quantities exceeding the EPA's drinking water limits in some beers.
  • Researchers identified a strong correlation between municipal water PFAS levels and concentrations in locally brewed beers, highlighting gaps in water treatment systems.
  • Experts recommend upgrades to brewery water filtration, expanded regulatory testing, and consumer awareness to reduce PFAS exposure from beer and other sources.