As much as 94 percent of New Yorkers on public drinking water sourced from groundwater are predicted to have exposure to certain chemicals, according to a new analysis from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The study, which published on Thursday, found that up to 95 million people in the U.S. “may rely on groundwater that contains detectable concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, for their drinking water supplies,” a press release from the USGS said.
Also known as forever chemicals because of the long time it takes for them to breakdown, PFAS encompass thousands of man-made chemicals found in everyday items such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, grease-resistant food wrappers and water-resistant clothing.
These chemicals can be harmful in high amounts, leading to heightened cholesterol and an increased risk for some cancers, according to a U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry webpage dedicated to PFAS.