Toxic taps: Scientists sound alarm over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in U.S. drinking water

In a startling new study, scientists have uncovered a concerning new source of PFAS, widely known as “forever chemicals,” contaminating drinking water in the United States. These toxic substances, often linked to serious health problems, are now believed to be entering the water supply through wastewater treatment plants — and they’re not being filtered out.

Even more troubling? Some of these PFAS are coming from common pharmaceutical drugs, adding a dangerous twist to the growing clean water crisis.

What are forever Chemicals — and why should you worry?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of nearly 15,000 human-made chemicals known for their durability. They’ve been widely used in consumer goods since the 1950s — in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, and more. But what makes them useful also makes them toxic: they don’t break down in nature or in the human body.

Even at low levels, PFAS exposure has been linked to thyroid disorders, infertility, immune system suppression, and cancer.

The shocking stats: nearly half of tap water Is contaminated

According to recent studies, 45% of U.S. tap water contains these forever chemicals. The latest research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that 23 million Americans may be exposed to PFAS directly from treated wastewater that re-enters lakes and rivers — and ultimately our faucets.

Lead author Bridger Ruyle, an environmental engineering scientist at NYU, “We’re identifying really large amounts of chemicals that we know very little about.”

Pharmaceuticals: the new hidden source of contamination

While the chemical industry and factories have long been blamed for PFAS pollution, this study reveals a surprising new source: prescribed medications. Many drugs include PFAS-like compounds that don’t degrade, increasing how long they last in the body — and in the water supply.

Ruyle explains, “A molecule that’s hard to degrade in the body is also hard to degrade in a wastewater plant or in rivers and lakes.”

Once these drugs are excreted or flushed, they enter wastewater plants that simply aren’t equipped to remove them. Eventually, the chemicals find their way into rivers, lakes, and — worryingly — back into our drinking water.

Wastewater reuse: A risky necessity in a warming world

Climate change is compounding the crisis. With increasing droughts and shrinking freshwater sources, many communities are turning to wastewater reuse as a solution. But as Ruyle warns, this means “less water to dilute the chemicals before they’re processed for drinking again.”

In water-scarce regions of the U.S., treated wastewater already plays a major role in the public water supply. But when PFAS survive the treatment process, reuse becomes a health hazard, not a solution.

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Are treatment plants failing us?

The researchers analyzed samples from eight major wastewater plants across the country, representing the kind of systems that serve 70% of Americans. Despite using advanced treatment technologies, these facilities still discharged significant amounts of PFAS and PFAS-like compounds into the environment.

Environmental experts say this highlights a serious gap in our water safety systems.

“Wastewater treatment plants are not currently equipped to clean up the contamination,” said David Andrews, acting chief scientist at the Environmental Working Group, which monitors chemical exposure in the U.S.

Most toxic chemicals are still unregulated

In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced rules to reduce concentrations of six specific PFAS chemicals in drinking water. But the study found that these six made up only 8% of the harmful compounds detected.

The vast majority were unregulated — including emerging PFAS and pharmaceutical-based pollutants — meaning they slip through the cracks of current testing and regulatory standards.

“It’s a much bigger universe than we thought,” said Ruyle. “And we still don’t know the full health risks of many of these chemicals.”

The global picture: Are we underestimating PFAS pollution?

This problem isn’t confined to the U.S. According to Denis O’Carroll, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of New South Wales, PFAS levels in surface and groundwater worldwide are likely being underestimated.

Traditional lab methods may miss newer or modified PFAS compounds, especially those emerging from pharmaceutical production. O’Carroll praised the study for highlighting these newer sources of contamination and the urgent need for better detection and regulation.

Experts recommend using reverse osmosis water filters or activated carbon filters at home to reduce PFAS levels. However, such measures can be expensive and are not always 100% effective.

“The best solution is prevention,” Ruyle stressed. “We need to address the problem at the source — by stopping PFAS from entering the environment in the first place.”

What needs to happen now?

• Ban or restrict PFAS in pharmaceutical and industrial products unless absolutely necessary.

• Upgrade wastewater treatment plants to effectively remove PFAS.

• Accelerate regulations to include a wider range of PFAS compounds.

• Expand monitoring and improve public access to water safety data.

Ruyle and his team believe this study is just the beginning of uncovering the true extent of PFAS pollution.

“There’s a really large universe of PFAS that are much more prevalent,” Ruyle said. “And we urgently need to understand their health risks.”

A toxic future — Or a chance for change?

Forever chemicals may be designed to last — but they don’t have to be forever in our water. This latest research is a wake-up call to citizens, policymakers, and industries alike. If we act swiftly and decisively, we can reclaim clean water before it’s too late.

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