PFAS levels in the environment have been significantly underestimated

Current monitoring practices are likely to be underestimating the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. That’s the conclusion of a new study that also found more work was needed to develop analytical techniques to quantify PFAS in the environment, as well as their impact on people and the environment.

The researchers assessed PFAS levels in 45,000 samples of surface and groundwater from around the world, collected over the past 20 years. The samples were concentrated in areas with higher levels of environmental research, such as the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. They also investigated the source of PFAS contamination, including the distribution of PFAS used in various consumer products, such as cosmetics, food packaging and firefighting foams.