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Healthline‘Forever Chemicals’ in Tap Water Linked to Cancer. How to Lower Your Risk

A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology reveals significant associations between PFAS-contaminated water and increased cancer incidence. The research, analyzing county-level water contamination data from 2013-2015 and 2023-2024, found that areas with elevated PFAS (“forever chemicals”) levels showed up to 33% higher rates of specific cancers, with notable variations between male and female populations.


Key Points:

  • PFAS contamination affects approximately 45% of US drinking water supplies, with current EPA regulations for six common PFAS types set to begin enforcement in 2029
  • Areas with PFAS contamination demonstrated increased cancer incidence rates ranging from 2% to 33%, with oral cavity/pharynx cancer showing the highest elevation
  • Gender-specific cancer associations emerged: males showed higher rates of urinary system, brain, soft tissues, and leukemia, while females experienced elevated rates of thyroid, oral cavity/pharynx, and soft tissue cancers
  • Primary PFAS exposure sources include drinking water, fire extinguishing foam, food packaging, furniture, cosmetics, non-stick cookware, and paint sealants
  • Clinical mitigation strategies include recommending water filtration systems and advising patients to limit exposure to PFAS-containing products, particularly non-stick cookware and fast food packaging

“With an exposure that is so prevalent, it’s really difficult to make individual choices every day for you and your family to try to reduce exposure. So this is where we need system level changes and policies to achieve this.”
— Andres Cardenas, PhD; Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford Medicine


Environmental Health Summaries

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