Crack open a cold one – and a potential health concern.
A new study has revealed that PFAS chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are present in 95% of tested beers brewed across the United States.
These human-made compounds, notorious for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, are increasingly showing up in unexpected places – including your favourite pint.
The research found a strong correlation between PFAS levels in local water supplies and the beers brewed with that water.
As concerns grow over widespread PFAS contamination, the findings suggest yet another everyday product being quietly affected by environmental pollution.
What are PFAS chemicals?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic compounds used since the 1940s for their water-, oil-, and stain-repellent properties.
Commonly found in products such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, food packaging, and waterproof clothing, these chemicals are now pervasive in the air, soil, and water worldwide.
Nicknamed forever chemicals for their inability to break down naturally, PFAS accumulate in the human body and the environment over time.
Their widespread presence has become a growing public health concern, particularly as they are increasingly detected in drinking water supplies.
Health risks of PFAS exposure
Scientific research has linked long-term exposure to PFAS chemicals with several serious health risks. These include:
- Hormonal disruption
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Immune system suppression
- Developmental delays in children
- Increased risk of cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer
Because PFAS build up in the body over time, even low-level exposure through multiple sources – such as water, food, and now beer – can compound and raise health concerns.
How PFAS ended up in beer
To investigate whether PFAS contamination in water could extend to beer, researchers adapted an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method for testing drinking water and applied it to 23 beer samples.
These included craft beers from regions with documented PFAS-contaminated municipal water, along with popular domestic and international brands brewed in areas with unknown water quality.
The results were startling: PFAS chemicals were detected in 95% of the beer samples. Notably, the highest concentrations were found in beers brewed near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina – a region already known for significant PFAS pollution.
These beers contained not only higher levels but also a more diverse range of PFAS compounds.
Are breweries equipped to handle this issue?
Most breweries treat and filter their water, but current systems are not designed to remove PFAS chemicals.
As EPA regulations around PFAS in drinking water tighten – especially for compounds like PFOA and PFOS – breweries may need to invest in upgraded filtration technology or source cleaner water.
The study’s authors emphasise that brewers, regulators, and consumers must become more aware of PFAS risks.
Addressing contamination at the source, whether through municipal water system upgrades or stricter regulations on industrial discharges, is key to reducing downstream impacts on food and beverages.
A wake-up call for industry and consumers
The presence of PFAS chemicals in beer highlights a broader issue: environmental pollutants are not confined to the water we drink – they are infiltrating the products we consume.
This research serves as a wake-up call for both industry and government to take stronger action against PFAS pollution.
Until then, the next time you raise a glass, you might be toasting more than just hops and barley.
