PFAS Detected in 99% of Bottled Water Sampled Worldwide: Study

Manufacturers could reduce PFAS levels in bottled water significantly, through the use of activated carbon and boiling, researchers noted.

A new study warns that bottled water may be a common exposure vector for so-called “forever chemicals,” which have contaminated many of the world’s drinking water supplies.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include a group of thousands of chemicals widely used to resist grease, oil and water. However, they are also known to persist in the environment and build up in the human body, which has led to them being referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Following decades of widespread use of the chemicals throughout a number of industries, there is now growing evidence that links PFAS exposure to a myriad of adverse health effects, including various forms of cancer, ulcerative colitis and other side effects.

Most PFAS health concerns stem from water contamination problems, caused by heavy use of the chemicals in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which has been used by the military and firefighters for decades to fight fuel-based fires. During training and response exercises, these PFAS chemicals have been dumped into the environment and local water supplies.

However, according to the findings of a new study, avoiding those contaminated water sources is not enough to prevent PFAS exposure, as they are also found in 99% of bottled water.

In a study published earlier this month in the journal ACS ES&T Water, researchers looked for 10 common PFAS compounds in tap water in the U.K. and China, as well as bottled water from 15 other countries.

The researchers sampled 112 bottles of water, sold in both plastic or glass bottles, and as sparkling water or still water. All were common brands, the researchers indicated, and they indicated that concentrations of PFAS were found in 99% of the bottles tested.

“These are high detection rates compared with previous studies on bottled water,” the researchers said, indicating that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were the most commonly detected PFAS compounds.

However, the researchers noted that the levels detected in the bottled water products were not at levels of concern, and, in fact, there appeared to be more PFAS exposure linked to tap water in the U.K. and China.

“High detection rates of target PFAS in both tap and bottled water highlight necessary for monitoring a wide range of PFAS. Estimated human exposure of target PFAS via drinking water does not appear serious human health risk,” the researchers concluded. “Interestingly, boiling and activated carbon filtration can reduce substantially (50%–90%) concentrations of PFAS in water.”

PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuits

Thousands of PFAS water contamination lawsuits have been filed throughout the federal court system by individuals diagnosed with various cancers and other injuries, which are all consolidated under U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel in South Carolina.

The lawsuits focus primarily on water contamination from the use of the chemicals in AFFF by the military and firefighters during training and emergencies, which has caused significant pollution around military bases, airports and firefighter training sites, affecting local communities.

3M Company, DuPont, Chemguard Inc., Tyco Fire Products and other manufacturers now face over 9,800 lawsuits from individuals with cancer and other health issues caused by PFAS water contamination, as well as from firefighters who claim PFAS exposure through their proximity to AFFF while training and fighting fires caused them serious health problems.

As part of the coordinated management of the litigation, a small group of early PFAS lawsuits are being prepared for trials dates starting in 2025, involving claims that individuals developed testicular cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis, after drinking water known to be contaminated with high levels of the chemicals.

While the outcome of these early trial dates will not have any binding impact on other claims being pursued throughout the federal court system, they are designed to help gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that will be repeated throughout the litigation.