Latest news with #EnvironmentalScience&Technology
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forever chemicals found in American beer — the worst is brewed in this part of the country
Crack open a cold one this Memorial Day and you might be in for a hoppy hazard. A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that 95% of 23 tested beers across the US contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — commonly known as 'forever chemicals' due to their lingering presence in the environment and human body. And depending on where in the country it's brewed, the amount of forever chemicals can be worse. These synthetic compounds, which have been linked to cancer and other health issues, are believed to enter beer primarily through contaminated tap water used in brewing. The study found a strong correlation between PFAS concentrations in municipal drinking water and levels in locally brewed beer — a phenomenon that has not previously been researched. While the study did not disclose specific beer brands, it identified that beers brewed near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina exhibited the highest levels and most diverse mix of PFAS. Beers from St. Louis County, Missouri, also showed significant PFAS presence. The findings suggest that standard water filtration systems used in breweries may not effectively remove forever chemicals, highlighting the need for improved water treatment strategies at both brewing facilities and municipal treatment plants. As beer is composed of about 90% water — and nearly two gallons of water can be used to produce just one quart of beer — the quality of water used in brewing is crucial. With PFAS contamination affecting an estimated 200 million people in the US, the presence of these chemicals in beer underscores the broader issue of environmental pollutants infiltrating everyday products. 'As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,' lead author Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in a press release. 'I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.' Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that after testing just one-third of public water supplies in the US, it determined that more than 70 million residents are being exposed to 'forever chemicals.' The most contaminated were found in densely populated regions like New York, New Jersey, and parts of California and Texas. However, their interactive map shows that Manhattan has zero reports of forever chemicals in the water. 'The full scale of PFAS contamination is likely much more widespread,' a spokesperson said at the time, noting that the EPA's report only offered a snapshot of the problem. In fact, in November researchers at Florida International University in Miami even found forever chemicals in rainwater. They've also been found in everything from contact lenses to dental floss to toilet paper and even shampoo. When it comes to reducing the exposure through water, there is something consumers can do about it. While boiling the water doesn't remove PFAS, some water filters can. A report from FoodPrint outlines how filters with activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange resins and high-pressure membranes can help. 'To remove a specific contaminant like PFAS from drinking water, consumers should choose a water filtration device that is independently certified to remove that contaminant by a recognized lab,' said Jim Nanni of Consumer Reports.
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Forever chemicals found in American beer — the worst is brewed in this part of the country
Crack open a cold one this Memorial Day and you might be in for a hoppy hazard. A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that 95% of 23 tested beers across the US contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — commonly known as 'forever chemicals' due to their lingering presence in the environment and human body. And depending on where in the country it's brewed, the amount of forever chemicals can be worse. Advertisement 3 A recent study discovered 95% of beers across the US contain forever chemicals, which have been linked to cancer and other health issues. DN6 – These synthetic compounds, which have been linked to cancer and other health issues, are believed to enter beer primarily through contaminated tap water used in brewing. The study found a strong correlation between PFAS concentrations in municipal drinking water and levels in locally brewed beer — a phenomenon that has not previously been researched. While the study did not disclose specific beer brands, it identified that beers brewed near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina exhibited the highest levels and most diverse mix of PFAS. Advertisement Beers from St. Louis County, Missouri also showed significant PFAS presence. The findings suggest that standard water filtration systems used in breweries may not effectively remove forever chemicals, highlighting the need for improved water treatment strategies at both brewing facilities and municipal treatment plants. As beer is composed of about 90% water — and nearly two gallons of water can be used to produce just one quart of beer — the quality of water used in brewing is crucial. Advertisement With PFAS contamination affecting an estimated 200 million people in the US, the presence of these chemicals in beer underscores the broader issue of environmental pollutants infiltrating everyday products. 3 Cape Fear Memorial Bridge crossing the Cape Fear River at sunset in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. Zenstratus – 'As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,' lead author Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in a press release. 'I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.' Advertisement Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that after testing just one-third of public water supplies in the US, they determined that more than 70 million residents are being exposed to 'forever chemicals.' 3 The findings suggest that standard water filtration systems used in breweries may not effectively remove forever chemicals luchschenF – The most contaminated were found in densely populated regions like New York, New Jersey, and parts of California and Texas. However, their interactive map shows that Manhattan has zero reports of forever chemicals in the water. 'The full scale of PFAS contamination is likely much more widespread,' an EWG spokesperson said at the time, noting that the EPA's report only offered a snapshot of the problem. In fact, in November researchers at Florida International University in Miami even found forever chemicals in rainwater. They've also been found in everything from contact lenses to dental floss to toilet paper and even shampoo. When it comes to reducing the exposure through water, there is something consumers can do about it. While boiling the water doesn't remove PFAS, some water filters can. Advertisement A report from FoodPrint outlines how filters with activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange resins and high-pressure membranes can help. 'To remove a specific contaminant like PFAS from drinking water, consumers should choose a water filtration device that is independently certified to remove that contaminant by a recognized lab,' said Jim Nanni of Consumer Reports.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Latest Unlikely Source of 'Forever Chemicals' Is a Memorial Day Menu Staple
"Forever chemicals," or synthetic compounds that have been linked to cancer and other health problems, have now been found in beer Researchers with the American Chemical Society found in a new study that beer brewed in regions of the U.S. with forever chemicals in their tap water had the highest concentration of such chemicals "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon saidThe synthetic compounds known as "forever chemicals" that have been linked to cancer and other health problems have been found in a popular beverage — and researchers believe these compounds make their way in through drinking water. A new study from the American Chemical Society published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been found in beers from several regions around the U.S. According to a press release from researchers, it was previously proven that forever chemicals are present in hundreds of tap water systems around the country. This new study found that "beers produced in parts of the country with known PFAS-contaminated water sources showed the highest levels of forever chemicals." Research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in the release, "As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints." Beer is made of about 90% water, and the rest is malt from grains such as barley, hops and yeast. The study found that almost two gallons of water are sometimes used to produce just one quart of beer. Although breweries usually have a water filtration system in place their tap water, "they are not necessarily effective at removing [forever chemicals]," and during production, tap water can potentially introduce "contaminants." To conduct the study, Hoponick Redmon and her colleagues tested 23 beers, some produced by "U.S. brewers in areas with documented water system contamination, plus popular domestic and international beers from larger companies with unknown water sources." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Forever chemicals were found in 95% of the beers they tested. The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated regulations for such chemicals — including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — when they extended deadlines to reduce the amount of PFOS and PFOA in Americans' tap water earlier this month. Although the study didn't name specific brands of beer, researchers found that beers brewed near Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina had the highest levels and largest mix of forever chemicals. Beer from St. Louis County, Mo. also had large amounts of PFAS present. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! According to Hoponick Redmon, this strong correlation between forever chemicals in tap water and locally-brewed beer has not yet been studied in U.S. retail beer. Researchers now hope that this data can spread awareness to beer companies, and that regulators will step in and try to limit consumers' exposure to forever chemicals. The study also highlights the "possible need for water treatment upgrades at brewing facilities," as well as updates to tap water treatment centers. "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," Hoponick Redmon added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Beer is the latest source of hazardous PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals,' according to worried scientists
'Forever chemicals,' or PFAS—the group of more than 9,000 potentially hazardous synthetic compounds linked to cancer and other health problems—have been found lurking in everything from non-stick pans and candy to butter and processed meats. Oh—and in about half of tap water systems nationwide. So why should your favorite brewski be immune? After testing beers brewed in different areas of the country, researchers with the American Chemical Society have discovered the highest levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in those from regions with known PFAS-contaminated water sources. The results have been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. 'As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,' research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in a news release. 'I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.' Beer is made mostly of water, malt from grains (usually barley), hops, and yeast. It's the water, though, that is the most abundant and important ingredient (comprising about 90% of the brew), and which impact its pH, enzyme activity, hop utilization, and yeast growth—with nearly two gallons of water sometimes used to produce a quarter gallon of beer, 'potentially introducing contaminants during beer production,' according to the study. Although breweries are usually equipped with water filtration and treatment systems, those do not remove PFAS. And, notes the study, 'approximately 18% of breweries operating in the United States are located within zip codes served by public water supplies with detectable PFAS in drinking water.' For the analysis, Hoponick Redmon and colleagues used a modified U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method to test 23 beers, none of which are named in the study. But test subjects were either produced by U.S. brewers in areas with documented water system contamination or were popular domestic and international beers from larger companies with unknown water sources. According to the findings, 95% of the beers they tested contained PFAS, with the highest levels and most diverse mix of the forever chemicals detected in samples from Chatham County, N.C. and Mecklenburg County, N.C. (both areas with known PFAS in municipal drinking water), as well as a beer from St. Louis County, Mo. Two types of PFAS known to be particularly dangerous—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—were both detected in some of the beers, the study said. The takeaway, say the researchers, is that PFAS contamination at one source can spread into other products; they call for greater awareness among brewers, consumers and regulators to limit overall PFAS exposure—as well as the possible need for water treatment upgrades at brewing facilities. More on environmental toxins: The truth about American drinking water: Report shows widespread presence of hazardous chemicals Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are everywhere. Here's how to reduce your exposure The 'plastic spoon' of microplastics in your brain could stem from these foods that are wrecking your health, researchers say This story was originally featured on
Scientific American
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scientific American
California Told Companies to Label Toxic Chemicals. Instead They're Quietly Dropping Them
Requiring warning labels on products with potentially toxic ingredients can obviously help keep them out of a careful consumer's shopping cart. But a recent study shows that these 'right-to-know' laws may also halt such formulations long before they hit the shelves or are released into the air—and can even protect people outside a law's geographic range. One of the most significant such laws ever passed in the U.S., California's Proposition 65, requires businesses to post a warning when chemical exposures, whether through product ingredients or air emissions, exceed a safe standard. For the recent study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers interviewed business leaders and found that California's rule has caused many companies to reformulate their products by reducing amounts of flagged ingredients to safer levels—or by dropping them entirely. The interviews covered dozens of industries such as cleaning products, electronics and home improvement. They included top-earning brands across all sectors as well as leading green cleaning brands—although the companies remain anonymous in the study, says lead author Jennifer Ohayon, a scientist at the nonprofit research organization Silent Spring Institute. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Ohayon and her colleagues found that companies commonly replaced the warning-requiring ingredients altogether, in part to avoid possible litigation. Michael Freund is a lawyer who spent decades representing groups aiming to stop toxic chemical emissions; he says the California proposition's incentives can help fill a key gap. In the cases he worked on, 'every one of those companies had permits that allowed them to do what they were doing,' he says. 'And that's where Prop 65 comes into play.' Although the 1986 law is specific to California, the study results suggest its effects cross state borders as manufacturers reformulate their products nationally. A parallel study published last year by the Silent Spring Institute backs this idea up with data. That study looked at levels of 37 chemicals in blood and urine samples among both Californians and non-Californians. Of the chemicals, 26 were listed in Prop 65, and samples from before and after listing were available for 11 of those, which allowed for a comparison. For most of the chemicals, levels in people's bodies decreased after listing—both in California residents and across the nation. Megan Schwarzman, a researcher involved in both studies, says sample data exist for only a tiny fraction of the 900 Prop 65 chemicals. In a metaphorical game of Twister, the researchers had to figure out what publicly available data could be matched to Prop 65 chemicals because 'the data weren't collected for that purpose,' Schwarzman says. Monitoring all listed chemicals over time in future work would show any patterns much more clearly. The new study notes that Prop 65 is sometimes criticized for leaving Californians 'over-warned' and 'under-informed.' But the research so far suggests that regardless of consumer effects, the policy has guided at least some businesses' choices—raising the bar for everyone.
