High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in American beers

Recent research indicates that certain beers brewed in the United States contain alarming levels of "forever chemicals," specifically polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), exceeding the allowable limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This study, conducted by a team from the American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science & Technology, aimed to investigate the prevalence of PFAS in beer and its correlation with local water sources.

The research lead, Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, expressed her concerns, stating, "As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints. I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours."

Despite many breweries employing water filtration and treatment systems, these measures are often inadequate for eliminating PFAS from the brewing process. The research team modified an EPA tool for testing drinking water to analyze 23 different beers. The results were striking: beers brewed in regions with known water contamination, such as North Carolina, California, and Michigan, exhibited elevated PFAS levels.

The study revealed a significant correlation between PFAS concentrations in municipal drinking water and those found in locally brewed beer. In fact, PFAS was detected in 95% of the tested samples, particularly the compounds perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, both of which have established limits by the EPA.

Interestingly, beers sourced internationally, including one from the Netherlands and two from Mexico, demonstrated a lower likelihood of PFAS contamination. The research team concluded, "Our findings indicate a strong link between PFAS in drinking water and beer, with beers brewed in areas with higher PFAS in local drinking water translating to higher levels of PFAS in beer, showing that drinking water is a primary route of PFAS contamination in beer."

As the implications of these findings unfold, they may prompt a reevaluation of water safety standards and brewing practices, underscoring the critical need for effective treatment solutions to safeguard public health.