Forever chemicals known as PFAS have been found in beer in the US, new research reveals.
PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl – are referred to as forever chemicals due to their inability to break down in the environment – or the human body – for many years, due to their strong bonds. As a result, they build up over time and pose long-term health and environmental risks. They are human-made chemicals, originally produced for their ability to repel water, oil and stains.
Researchers tested 23 beers from across the US, and 95 per cent were found to contain PFAS. The highest concentration of PFAS in beers was discovered in regions with known water contamination, showing how polluted water supplies can infiltrate beer. This raises concern for both brewers and consumers alike.
The new study – Hold My Beer: The Linkage between Municipal Water and Brewing Location on PFAS in Popular Beverages – published in Environmental Science & Technology highlights the fact that PFAS contamination at a single source can spread into other products, with more regulation needed across the board to limit PFAS exposure.
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