A map has revealed the five states with the most water systems where drinking water has been registered as above the proposed limit for PFAS—human-made “forever” chemicals.

New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania have the most highly contaminated drinking water systems, according to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) interactive map.

From an article in Newsweek on June8, 2024, a collection of national data reveals the concerning number of drinking water systems with levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, exceeding proposed limits across the U.S.

PFAS encompass thousands of man-made chemicals found in everyday items such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, grease-resistant food wrappers and water-resistant clothing. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” because of the long time it takes them to break down, can cause harm in high exposure amounts.

The EWG’s Deputy Director and Investigations and Senior Scientist, David Andrews, told Newsweek: “What we know—and there’s actually been a few different studies looking at potential sources of PFAS contamination and how they may be getting into the water—there’s a strong association with urban areas in particular.

“It goes along with industrialization, the use of consumer and industrial products, but, in particular, some of the highest sources of contamination and have been firefighter training facilities or airports. That’s because they were required to use a firefighting foam that included high levels of PFAS. So many airports and Department of Defense sites are known to be highly contaminated.”

“And then industrial manufacturing facilities—the facilities which can be a direct release into water and air, but also landfilling of materials have led to some very high levels,” Andrews added.

“There are many, many industries that have used these chemicals—electroplating facilities, textile mills… These chemicals have kind of become ubiquitous in society. States like New Jersey have a history of significant manufacturing of these chemicals.”

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