A new study shows that many U.S. beers contain toxic PFAS chemicals due to contaminated municipal water used in brewing, raising questions about everyday consumer exposure.
Liz McLaughlin reports for WRAL News.
In short:
- Researchers at RTI International found detectable levels of PFAS in nearly every beer they tested, linking contamination to the water used by breweries.
- Some of the most contaminated samples came from North Carolina, with one beer from Mecklenburg County exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new drinking water limit for PFAS by a factor of ten.
- The Brewers Association acknowledged the importance of clean water and expressed support for protecting America’s water supply.
Key quote:
“Nearly every beer we tested had at least one detectable PFAS compound in it. And that’s directly tied to the municipal water used during the brewing process.”
— Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, study lead author and senior director of environmental health and water quality at RTI
Why this matters:
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of health problems, including kidney and testicular cancers, hormone disruption, reduced immune function, and reproductive harm. Because they persist in water supplies, they can quietly enter the food and drink we consume daily, including beer. The RTI study shows how municipal water systems serve as a major pathway for PFAS exposure, not just at the tap but also through processed goods. In areas like North Carolina, where past industrial activity has polluted water sources, the legacy of PFAS is showing up in unexpected ways. As more PFAS regulations roll out, the full extent of their spread is becoming clearer.
Related EHN coverage: PFAS: Hard to escape in food, clothes, and makeup
