Current:Home > InvestStudy maps "forever chemical" water contamination hotspots worldwide, including many in U.S.-LoTradeCoin
Study maps "forever chemical" water contamination hotspots worldwide, including many in U.S.
View Date:2024-12-24 00:16:59
Sydney —— Dangerous concentrations of long-lingering "forever chemicals" have been found in surface and groundwater worldwide, according to a study released Tuesday that showed Australia, the United States and Europe as hotspots.
A paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience analysed data from 45,000 water samples globally and found a "substantial fraction" had levels of PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — above recommended levels.
Found in everyday products such as non-stick frying pans, food packaging and waterproof clothing, the substances have been linked to serious health conditions including cancer and birth defects.
- FDA says food packaging containing PFAS no longer sold in U.S.
They have been found everywhere from turtle eggs to Antarctic snow, but the latest study showed they were prevalent in surface water and groundwater used by humans for drinking.
"Many of our source waters are above PFAS regulatory limits," said Denis O'Carroll, one of the study's authors and a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
O'Carroll said it was already known that the thousands of types of forever chemicals were "pervasive in the environment" but he expressed shock at how much higher the sampled levels were versus compared with recommended levels; "We're talking above 5%, and it goes over 50% in some cases."
The research found that 69% of groundwater samples from around the world surpassed Canada's minimum standards and 6% of samples surpassed the EU's standard.
Australia, China, the United States and parts of Europe were shown to be global hotspots of high concentrations of PFAS.
A separate study published in the summer of 2023 found that almost half of the tap water flowing into U.S. homes was estimated to have one or more PFAS, of which there are more than 12,000.
The new study acknowledged, however, that the locations with the highest measured concentrations of PFAS were also areas with the highest levels of testing, and with more research, comparable results could be found across the globe.
PFAS is considered to be spread across the globe, but the extent of contamination on the earth's surface and in waterways and drinking supplies is not known.
Canada, the United States, the European Union and Australia have begun restricting the use of PFAS amid health and environmental concerns.
- In:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environment
- Microplastics
- Water Conservation
- PFAS
- Pollution
- Plastics
veryGood! (2515)
Related
- Maine elections chief who drew Trump’s ire narrates House tabulations in livestream
- Writers Guild Awards roasts studios after strike, celebrates 'the power of workers'
- Fire rages through the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, toppling the iconic spire
- After the remains of a missing boy are found inside a Buffalo home, the focus shifts to how he died
- Michael Jordan and driver Tyler Reddick come up short in bid for NASCAR championship
- Best Buy cuts workforce, including Geek Squad, looks to AI for customer service
- Supreme Court to examine federal obstruction law used to prosecute Trump and Jan. 6 rioters
- Abu Ghraib detainee shares emotional testimony during trial against Virginia military contractor
- Father sought in Amber Alert killed by officer, daughter unharmed after police chase in Ohio
- Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to involuntarily commit some defendants judged incompetent for trial
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
- Who's in 2024 NHL playoffs? Tracking standings, playoff bracket, tiebreakers, scenarios
- The Rock confirms he isn't done with WWE, has eyes set on WrestleMania 41 in 2025
- 'Jezebel spirit': Pastor kicked off stage at Christian conference in Missouri
- 2 more escaped monkeys recaptured and enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in South Carolina
- When rogue brokers switch people's ACA policies, tax surprises can follow
- Tesla to lay off 10% of its global workforce, reports say: 'It must be done'
- Supreme Court turns away appeal from Black Lives Matter activist facing lawsuit from police officer
Recommendation
-
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving: Here’s when stores open on Black Friday
-
Former All-Star, World Series champion pitcher Ken Holtzman dies
-
How Angel Reese will fit in with the Chicago Sky. It all starts with rebounding
-
Rangers clinch NHL's top record, Islanders get berth, last playoff spot still up for grabs
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
-
Ciara Reveals Why She Wants to Lose 70 Pounds of Her Post-Baby Weight
-
Kesha tweaks 'Tik Tok' lyrics to blast Diddy at Coachella
-
Olivia Culpo Reveals All the Cosmetic Procedures She's Done on Her Face