PFAS Contamination Puts Millions of Americans at Risk
PFAS Water Experts analyzes water quality violation data from EPA
A shocking new study by PFAS Water Experts has exposed the alarming truth about the safety of America's drinking water. The research, analyzing EPA data on water quality violations from 2019 to 2023, reveals that up to 95 million Americans – nearly a third of the country – are at risk from PFAS-contaminated tap water.
New York tops the list, with a staggering 53.3% of its population – over 10.5 million people – served by water systems with health-based or acute PFAS violations. Residents are potentially exposed to contaminants ranging from lead to E. coli every time they turn on the tap.
While New York has the highest percentage of PFAS-contaminated water, the problem stretches far beyond its borders. New Jersey, Louisiana, Maryland, Arizona, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Oregon round out the top 10 states with the most contaminated water.
But the issue isn't confined to these states. Experts warn that millions of Americans nationwide are potentially at risk from PFAS in their tap water.
"Drinking PFAS-contaminated water can have both short and long-term health effects," said Andrew J. Cobos, Attorney-at-Law and Chief Veteran Legal Counsel at PFAS Water Experts. "Whether someone experiences health effects and how severe they are depends on things like the type and amount of PFAS, how much water they drink, how long they're exposed, and their individual susceptibility."
Cobos points to New York as a prime example of the problem.
"New York's population has the highest percentage of people served by PFAS-contaminated water by far. The state's aging water infrastructure could be a major factor in the high number of violations. It's clear that investment is needed to better protect public health."
The Top 10 Most Contaminated States:
- New York - 53.3%
- New Jersey - 38.6%
- Louisiana - 36.5%
- Maryland - 35.6%
- Arizona - 34.4%
- West Virginia - 33.5%
- Oklahoma - 32.9%
- Massachusetts - 32.7%
- Pennsylvania - 32.6%
- Oregon - 32.5%
Note: Percentages represent the portion of each state's population served by public water systems with health-based or acute health-based violations.
