Study finds widespread PFAS contamination in beer

09/17/2025 / By Ava Grace

A new study found that 95 percent of beers tested in the U.S. contain detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”
The primary pathway for contamination is the water used in brewing. The research established a direct link between PFAS levels in a community’s municipal water supply and the concentration found in beer brewed locally.
Standard water filtration systems used by breweries are not designed to remove PFAS, meaning breweries cannot prevent these chemicals from entering their product if the local water is contaminated.
PFAS exposure is linked to serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility, due to their ability to accumulate in the human body over a lifetime.
The study concludes that the solution requires large-scale action, including policy changes and investment in advanced municipal water treatment technologies to eliminate PFAS at the source, rather than placing the burden on individual breweries.

A new scientific study has delivered a sobering revelation to American beer drinkers, finding that toxic “forever chemicals” have contaminated the vast majority of beers tested in the United States. The research, led by environmental scientist Jennifer Hoponick Redmon and published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, establishes a direct link between polluted municipal water sources and the presence of these harmful substances in one of the nation’s most popular beverages. This discovery raises significant concerns about public health and regulatory oversight, suggesting that a beloved cultural staple may be an unexpected vector for low-level, chronic exposure to dangerous compounds.

The unwanted ingredient in every sip

The chemicals in question are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS. These are a large class of human-made compounds developed for their remarkable resistance to water, grease and stains. For decades, they have been used in a staggering array of consumer products, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and firefighting foam. Their formidable chemical structure, which makes them so useful, also makes them incredibly persistent. Dubbed “forever chemicals,” they do not break down naturally in the environment or the human body, allowing them to accumulate over time. (Related: “Forever chemicals” haunt North Carolina homes as PFAS found in dust near Chemours plant.)

From water source to brew kettle

The central finding of the study is both simple and alarming. The primary ingredient in beer is water, and if that water is contaminated, the final product will be, too. The research team modified a standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing method to analyze 23 different beers. These included brews from regions with documented PFAS contamination in their water systems, as well as popular domestic and international brands from larger companies with unknown water sources.

The results were stark. A remarkable 95 percent of the beers tested contained detectable levels of PFAS. The contamination was not random; the study revealed a strong and direct correlation between the level of PFAS in a community’s drinking water and the concentration found in beer brewed locally. This clear pathway from tap to tankard had not been previously documented in U.S. retail beer, marking a significant step in understanding how these pollutants move through the consumer goods chain.

A geographic hotspot for contamination

The data pointed to a particularly troubling hotspot. Beers brewed in areas near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina showed the highest levels and the most diverse cocktail of forever chemicals. This region has a long and notorious history of PFAS pollution, largely linked to industrial discharge. The study specifically identified perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in these beers, two of the most well-studied and concerning PFAS compounds.

The presence of these specific chemicals is especially significant in light of recent federal action. The EPA has just established stringent new legally enforceable limits for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water, setting the acceptable levels at near-zero concentrations. This reflects a growing scientific consensus that there is no safe level of exposure to these particular substances.

The limits of filtration and a call for action

A critical insight from the research is that standard brewery water filtration and treatment systems are not designed to remove PFAS. This means that even breweries committed to quality and purity are powerless to stop these chemicals from entering their product if their local water supply is contaminated. The problem originates long before the water reaches the brewing facility.

The researchers conclude that the solution cannot rest on the shoulders of individual breweries. Instead, they call for a multi-faceted approach that includes greater awareness among brewers, consumers and regulators. The ultimate answer lies in implementing large-scale water treatment strategies and policies aimed at eliminating PFAS at the source — the municipal water systems themselves. This would require significant investment in advanced water treatment technologies capable of filtering out these persistent molecules.

Understanding the health implications

The health risks associated with PFAS exposure are well-documented and severe. Scientific studies have linked these chemicals to a host of serious conditions, including kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility and increased cholesterol levels. The danger is not from a single exposure but from bioaccumulation — the gradual build-up of these forever chemicals in the body over a lifetime through multiple exposure routes.

“‘Forever chemicals’ are harmful because they are linked to a range of severe health issues, including poor immune system function, cardiovascular and reproductive problems and an increased risk of cancer,” Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch explained. “Their enduring nature means they accumulate in the environment and the human body over time, leading to long-term exposure.”

Beyond the bar: A systemic environmental issue

This study transcends the beer industry. It serves as a powerful indicator of a much larger environmental and public health crisis. The contamination of beer is a symptom of a profoundly polluted water system. The fact that these chemicals can travel from factory runoff to a river, into a municipal water plant, through a brewery, and into a glass demonstrates their pervasiveness and the inability of current infrastructure to manage them.

The revelation of PFAS in beer is a wake-up call. It is not a reason to panic but a compelling reason to act. The solution lies not in abandoning a cherished beverage, but in pursuing the rigorous policies and advanced treatments necessary to ensure that the water flowing into your homes and breweries is free of toxic, persistent forever chemicals.

Watch this video to learn more about PFAS contamination.

This video is from the Weltansicht channel on Brighteon.com.