Scientists Detect PFAS in Bottled and Tap Water Around the World [Video]

In a new study, scientists detected the presence of 10 target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including compounds such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), in samples of tap water from the UK and China as well as in bottled waters from 15 countries.

The study, published in the journal ACS ES&T Water, set out to determine potential exposure to some of the most common PFAS from water of various sources around the world. 

The study authors used 112 bottled water samples in both plastic and glass bottles, with water sourced from 15 countries as well as 41 samples of tap water in homes of Birmingham, Worcester, Coventry and Derby, UK and 14 water samples from homes in Shenzhen, China.

The team of researchers behind the study found PFOS and PFOA were most common in bottled water, showing up in more than 99% of the bottled water samples. Other …