It is estimated that almost half of all U.S. drinking water could be contaminated by at least one per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At least one PFAS could be detected in about 20 percent of tap water from unregulated private-wells. Approximately 40 million Americans rely on private-wells for drinking water. Also known as "forever chemicals', PFAS have been linked to significant adverse health impacts. Some PFAS can take 1,000 years to degrade.
Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021
Characteristic
Share of drinking water samples with PFAS detection
*Tap water from 716 locations (269 private-wells; 447 public supply) across the U.S. was collected during 2016 and 2021 including three locations where temporal sampling was conducted.
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Food Safety Magazine. (July 11, 2023). Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/
Food Safety Magazine. "Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021." Chart. July 11, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/
Food Safety Magazine. (2023). Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/
Food Safety Magazine. "Estimated Share of Tap Water Samples in The United States Contaminated by at Least One Type of Pfas as of 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 11 Jul 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/
Food Safety Magazine, Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Estimated share of tap water samples in the United States contaminated by at least one type of PFAS as of 2021 [Graph], Food Safety Magazine, July 11, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400608/pfas-detections-in-drinking-water-systems-united-states/
