We Can Get Rid of Carcinogens and Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water. Will We Do It?

The article discusses a new study revealing that technologies installed to remove PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as forever chemicals, from drinking water also effectively reduce other harmful contaminants, including disinfection byproducts linked to cancer. PFAS are a large group of persistent chemicals that do not degrade in the environment and have been associated with various health issues such as cancers, hormonal disorders, and developmental delays. The US Geological Survey estimates that 45 percent of US tap water may contain at least one PFAS chemical. While routine water disinfection using chlorine removes pathogens, it cannot eliminate PFAS or heavy metals and can create harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, which pose cancer risks. The study, conducted by researchers from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), analyzed data from 19 water systems that installed PFAS filtration technologies between 2018 and 2022. Results showed significant reductions in disinfection byproducts: trihalomethanes