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January 19, 2025
A new analysis reveals that nearly one-third of people in the United States have been exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water, posing significant health risks. The study, conducted by scientists at the Silent Spring Institute and published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found that close to 97 million residents are drinking water contaminated with harmful chemicals such as PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,1-dichloroethane. Worse still, these toxins disproportionately affect Hispanic and Black communities.
Although the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act currently regulates around 100 contaminants, there are thousands of unregulated chemicals that still make their way into groundwater and surface waters, which ultimately end up in drinking water supplies. “Some of these chemicals can be dangerous and harmful to health, including cancer, thyroid disease, and other chronic conditions,” said Laurel Schaider, senior scientist at the Silent Spring Institute.
Disproportionate Exposure in Communities of Color
The study analyzed data from over 4,800 public water systems, collected under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program between 2013 and 2015. Among the findings, 27% of systems serving 97 million people had detectable levels of dangerous chemicals, including 1,4-dioxane, a solvent linked to cancer, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), widely used in consumer products and associated with numerous health issues.
Of particular concern is the higher exposure to these contaminants among Hispanic and Black communities, which are more likely to live near pollution sources such as wastewater treatment plants, airports, military bases, and industrial sites. These communities face a greater burden of water contamination compared to other racial and ethnic groups, even after accounting for income and socioeconomic status.
“Our findings show that the percentage of Hispanic and Black residents in a community is a consistent predictor of poorer water quality,” said Aaron Maruzzo, lead author of the study. This suggests that systemic factors, including racism and historical practices like redlining, which have concentrated industrial activities in communities of color, may be contributing to the disparity.
A Call for Federal Action
This new analysis builds on previous research highlighting the disproportionate exposure of Hispanic residents to high levels of nitrate in their drinking water. The federal government has set limits on nitrate due to its link to a condition called “blue baby syndrome,” which affects infants. However, newer studies have indicated that lower levels of nitrate exposure also increase the risk of colorectal and bladder cancer.
The Silent Spring Institute’s research further emphasizes the urgency of regulating more contaminants, particularly PFAS, in drinking water. In April 2024, the EPA introduced drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals, but the scope of contamination may be far broader than previously estimated. Schaider and other experts stress the need for a more comprehensive approach to protect source waters and limit the discharge of pollutants into drinking water supplies.
“We need to do a better job at protecting source waters and reducing discharges of pollutants into water bodies that feed into our drinking water supplies,” Schaider urged.
With growing concerns about the health implications of unregulated toxins in drinking water, this study highlights the pressing need for federal regulations to safeguard the public, particularly vulnerable communities, from further harm.
Reference:
“Socioeconomic Disparities in Exposures to PFAS and Other Unregulated Industrial Drinking Water Contaminants in US Public Water Systems” by Aaron J. Maruzzo, Amanda B. Hernandez, Christopher H. Swartz, Jahred M. Liddie and Laurel A. Schaider, Environmental Health Perspectives, January 15, 2025. DOI: 10.1289/EHP14721.
