U.S. Right to Know By
Exposure to “forever chemicals” in drinking water is significantly associated with the increased risk of multiple cancers, including some not previously linked to these toxic compounds, a first-of-its-kind study shows.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals widely used in consumer products, from textiles and food packaging to cleaning agents. Known for their persistence in the environment, they accumulate in humans and animals and have been linked to cancer, birth defects, liver disease, thyroid disease, decreased immunity, hormone disruption, childhood obesity, and a range of other serious health problems.
Researchers from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine estimate that PFAS-contaminated water may contribute to as many as 6,864 cancer cases per year in the U.S. Communities where drinking water surpassed recommended maximum levels of PFAS had higher rates of digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat cancers—ranging from 2% to 33%, they say.
“The key takeaway is that PFAS contamination in everyday water sources is a risk factor for long-term health consequences, including cancers,” the researchers say. “[Our] findings highlight the critical importance of developing effective strategies to mitigate cancer risks from exposure to PFAS through drinking water.”
This study, published in The Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology [January 2025], is the first large-scale analysis examining the association between PFAS-contaminated drinking water and cancer incidence across multiple organ systems using county-level U.S. data…
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE… (usrtk.org)
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