Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at USC found that chemicals called PFAS, widely used in consumer products and present in many U.S. water supplies, may significantly increase cancer risk.
According to a report by SciTechDaily, these “forever chemicals” are slow to break down, accumulate in the body over time, and are estimated to cause nearly 7,000 cancer cases annually.
The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, analyzed cancer data alongside PFAS contamination levels. Counties with higher PFAS levels in drinking water had up to a 33% increase in cancers affecting the digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems. Men and women were found to develop different types of cancers in contaminated areas.
With PFAS detected in nearly 45% of U.S. water supplies, the EPA plans to regulate six types starting in 2029. However, researchers stress that stricter measures may be required to protect public health.
Key Points of the Research
- PFAS are linked to cancers affecting the digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.
- Nearly 45% of U.S. drinking water contains PFAS, which are slow to degrade and accumulate in the body.
- Counties with higher PFAS levels show up to a 33% increase in certain cancers, with variations by sex.
- PFAS contamination is estimated to contribute to 6,864 cancer cases annually in the U.S.
- Limits on six PFAS types will take effect in 2029, but stricter measures might be necessary to better safeguard health.
