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New research from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) has revealed concerning findings about the safety of drinking water across the United States. The study has uncovered a link between manmade “forever chemicals” found in drinking water and an increased risk of developing various types of cancer, including those affecting the digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat systems.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the chemicals in question, have been widely used in consumer products like furniture, food packaging, and firefighting foam. These chemicals are known for their persistence in the environment and in the human body, earning them the “forever chemicals” moniker. Unfortunately, PFAS have been detected in nearly half of the drinking water supplies in the U.S. Despite their widespread presence, these chemicals are slow to degrade, accumulating in the body over time and contributing to several health concerns, including an increased risk of kidney, breast, and testicular cancers.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, researchers found that U.S. communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water had up to a 33% higher risk of developing certain cancers compared to those in areas with cleaner water. This is the first U.S.-based study to directly examine the connection between PFAS contamination in drinking water and cancer rates.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted from 2016 to 2021. It analyzed cancer cases across multiple counties, comparing areas with high PFAS contamination to those with less exposure. The results were alarming: higher cancer rates were observed in counties where the drinking water exceeded the recommended limits for PFAS. The findings estimated that PFAS contamination in drinking water contributes to over 6,800 cancer cases annually.
Lead researcher Dr. Shiwen (Sherlock) Li, a postdoctoral researcher at the Keck School of Medicine, explained that the study’s results point to the importance of further research into the links between PFAS and cancer. “These findings allow us to draw an initial conclusion about the link between certain rare cancers and PFAS,” said Dr. Li. “This suggests that it’s worth researching each of these links in a more individualized and precise way.”
The study also highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations. Starting in 2029, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to regulate six types of PFAS in drinking water, but researchers warn that stricter limits may be necessary to protect public health effectively. Although the regulation is a step in the right direction, the study indicates that certain PFAS chemicals, which are not yet regulated, could pose even greater risks.
While the study provides important insights, Dr. Li cautioned that more individual-level studies are required to confirm a causal link between PFAS exposure and cancer and to explore the biological mechanisms at play. In the meantime, the research serves as a call to action for increased monitoring of PFAS and the protection of public health from these toxic chemicals.
Disclaimer: The findings in this article are based on a study conducted by the Keck School of Medicine at USC. While the study suggests a link between PFAS in drinking water and increased cancer risk, further research is necessary to determine causality. Readers should consult local authorities for the latest information on water quality and health recommendations.
Published on January 26, 2025
