A new US study has found PFAS in beers. Some of the beers had levels of PFAS that exceeded drinking water limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. They are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, because they may take generations to break down in the environment.

Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to numerous adverse health impacts, such as certain cancers, reduced fertility, and the disruption of the immune system.

A research team from the American Chemical Society (ACS) adapted an EPA method for testing PFAS in drinking water and tested 23 beers for levels of PFAS. The beers selected for the study included ones brewed in areas with documented PFAS presence in drinking water, as well as other US and international beers without known PFAS water contamination.

Beer production uses local drinking water, which is filtered and treated to meet brewing requirements. However, these processes are not necessarily effective at removing PFAS contaminants.

More than one PFAS was detected in most of the beers, and the study found a strong correlation between PFAS presence in drinking water and elevated levels of PFAS in locally brewed beer. While the researchers state there are currently no limits for PFAS levels in beer, several beers had levels of PFAS that exceeded drinking water standards set by the US EPA for certain forever chemicals.

Beers brewed in North Carolina, where high levels of PFAS have been detected in drinking water, were found to have generally higher levels of PFAS in their beers. Smaller craft breweries were more likely to have detectable PFAS, which the researchers suggest may be due to larger breweries having more effective and expensive filtration for tap water.

While international beers had comparatively lower levels, PFAS were still present in some products. The study’s authors state that this shows that PFAS exposure is a concern for a wide variety of beers.

The research team concluded that drinking water is a key source of PFAS contamination in beer. They recommend that brewers test their water and install effective filtration methods if PFAS are present and advised consumers to check the brewing location of beer brands to make informed choices about their risk of PFAS exposure.

CHEM Trust recommends that PFAS should be restricted as an entire group and supports the proposed EU ban on the production and use of PFAS chemicals.

Read more on PFAS here.

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