If you thought having a couple beers when you get home from work or at the cookout was pretty harmless, think again.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to natural breakdown, have been detected in an alarming number of consumer products. Now, new research has revealed that these toxic substances are also present in one of America’s most popular beverages: beer.
- Researchers tested 23 beers across the U.S. and found 95% contained PFAS, with the highest levels in regions with documented municipal water contamination, such as North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Basin.
- PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are linked to cancer, obesity, and endocrine disruption; breweries’ current filtration systems cannot remove them.
- The study showed a direct correlation between PFAS levels in local water supplies and in beer, highlighting how environmental pollution enters consumer products.
- Experts call for improved water treatment policies and brewery safeguards to reduce PFAS exposure in everyday beverages.
Harmful “Forever Chemicals” Found in 95% of US Beers
PFAS are synthetic chemicals prized for their water-, oil-, and flame-resistant properties, widely used in nonstick cookware, packaging, firefighting foams, and industrial applications. However, their persistence in the environment and the human body has raised major health concerns. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, obesity, hormonal disruption, immune suppression, and other chronic diseases. Despite these risks, PFAS contamination of water supplies has been documented across the United States, often affecting communities near industrial sites or areas where firefighting foams have been used.
Researchers publishing in Environmental Science & Technology set out to determine whether PFAS contamination in municipal drinking water could be traced into beer, which relies heavily on water quality. The team, led by environmental scientist Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, tested 23 different beers brewed in regions with known water contamination, as well as several popular domestic and international brands. By adapting a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing method designed for drinking water, they were able to measure PFAS levels across a wide sample.
The findings were sobering: 95% of beers tested contained detectable amounts of PFAS. Among the compounds identified were perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), two of the most well-known forever chemicals. Both now have strict EPA limits in drinking water due to their toxicity and persistence. The study revealed a strong correlation between PFAS concentrations in local water supplies and those found in beers brewed in the same areas.
Some of the highest and most diverse levels of PFAS were found in beers produced near North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Basin, an area notorious for industrial PFAS pollution. This finding suggests that breweries relying on contaminated municipal water are particularly vulnerable to passing these chemicals into their products, even though most breweries use standard filtration and water-treatment systems. Current systems are not designed to remove PFAS, meaning consumers may unknowingly ingest the chemicals with every pint.
The implications of this research extend beyond beer. It demonstrates how chemical pollution in municipal water can infiltrate everyday consumer goods, raising concerns not only for beverage makers but also for food producers and the wider supply chain. It underscores the urgent need for improved water treatment infrastructure and stricter environmental regulations to protect public health.
Hoponick Redmon hopes the findings will push both policymakers and the brewing industry to act. As she noted, “I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.” With rising public awareness of endocrine-disruptors and obesogenic chemicals—issues also highlighted by health advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—the study adds fresh urgency to addressing PFAS pollution.
In the end, the discovery of PFAS in beer serves as a striking reminder that no consumer product is fully insulated from environmental contamination. Unless more effective policies and water-treatment methods are implemented, even something as simple as enjoying a cold beer may come with hidden health risks.
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