Popular Beers May Contain Harmful Toxins
New research has revealed that many beers sold in the United States contain “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, which closely reflect contamination levels in the local water sources used for brewing. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, found 17 different PFAS compounds in nearly all of the beer samples tested. Some of these samples even contained concentrations exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) safety limits for drinking water.
Researchers found a strong link between PFAS levels in municipal water and the amount found in beer, especially in smaller breweries that rely on local tap water. Around 18% of breweries in the U.S. operate in areas where PFAS are detectable in the water supply. According to study leader Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, this suggests a direct pathway from contaminated water into widely consumed beverages like beer.
To conduct the study, scientists analyzed 23 beer samples, including those from popular national brands and breweries in states like North Carolina, Michigan, and California—regions with documented water contamination. After degassing the beer and treating it with methanol, the researchers used advanced chemical analysis techniques to detect PFAS. Notably, beers brewed near North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Basin showed the highest PFAS levels.
Among the detected compounds, PFOS and PFOA were most common. Four of the samples surpassed the EPA’s 2024 safety threshold of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for these chemicals. One beer had a PFOS level of 6.2 ppt, and others contained PFOA levels ranging from 4 to 6.6 ppt. Because PFAS resist natural breakdown and accumulate in the body over time, they are linked to serious health concerns like fertility issues, cancer risk, and immune system damage.
Experts say current water treatment systems are largely ineffective at removing PFAS. The study’s authors recommend that breweries consider enhanced filtration technologies, such as reverse osmosis or activated carbon, to lower PFAS content in their products. While new EPA regulations aim to reduce PFAS in drinking water, these rules will not be enforceable until 2029, leaving public health concerns unresolved in the near term.
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