Groundwater at Risk as PFAS Pollution Spreads, West Virginia University Finds

A new study from West Virginia University economists has unveiled alarming patterns in the contamination of U.S. drinking water by forever chemicals, raising urgent questions for corporate environmental strategies across multiple sectors.

The Key Findings

The research, led by Professor Levan Elbakidze and doctoral student Nabin Khanal, analyzed the presence of PFAS in public water systems nationwide. Their findings, which identified contamination hot spots and correlations with socioeconomic factors, underscore the pervasive nature of these persistent pollutants and their complex relationship with industrial activity and consumer behavior.

Contamination Hot Spots

The study's most striking revelation is the identification of four major PFAS contamination hot spots spanning 10 states and 149 counties. These clusters, found in the Southeast, Northeast, and Colorado, correlate strongly with areas of high population density, groundwater usage, and specific industrial activities.

Industrial Sectors and Regional Correlations

The study identified several industrial sectors with significant correlations to elevated PFAS levels:

• Non-durable goods manufacturing: This sector, including textiles, food packaging, and cosmetics, showed a strong correlation with PFAS contamination. The hotspot spanning Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee was particularly notable, with researchers citing the carpet industry in Georgia as a major contributor.

• Healthcare and social assistance: PFAS use in medical devices and protective equipment was linked to contamination. The northeastern hotspot, covering New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Connecticut, showed high levels of contamination in densely populated areas with significant healthcare infrastructure.

• Government enterprises: Military and aviation facilities using firefighting foams were identified as significant sources. The Colorado hotspot, encompassing counties with the U.S. Space Command, an Air Force Base, and an Air Force Academy, exemplifies this connection.

• Manufacturing and industrial use: The hotspot in North and South Carolina was associated with manufacturing sites, particularly noting DuPont's Fayetteville Works plant as a source of PFAS in the Cape Fear River watershed.

Surprising Findings

Surprisingly, the research found that communities with larger agricultural industries and higher proportions of non-white populations tended to have lower PFAS contamination levels. This contrasts with patterns seen with other water pollutants and suggests that PFAS contamination may be more closely tied to urban consumption patterns than previously thought.

Nabin Khanal: “Given the diverse sources of contamination, any water system — whether a public water system or a private well — could potentially be affected. Therefore, it is crucial to test your water for PFAS and take necessary measures to avoid using contaminated water for drinking or food preparation. We wash things, we wear water-resistant clothing. That’s PFAS. So, if you have a densely populated area, those things are consumed in greater amounts. PFAS gets washed down into the sewer. But wastewater treatment plants don’t have technology to filter PFAS out of the wastewater before it gets released. Subsequently, drinking water systems that also lack necessary technology and draw water from the contaminated sources end up delivering PFAS in treated water.”

Implications for Water Systems and Corporate Action

The study's findings on water system characteristics sound a clear alarm for industry leaders. Larger public water systems and those relying on groundwater sources showed higher PFAS concentrations, challenging the assumption that traditionally "cleaner" water sources are safe from these persistent pollutants. This revelation underscores a broader truth: PFAS contamination is a systemic issue that extends far beyond the fence lines of manufacturing plants.

It implicates entire supply chains, product lifecycles, and even the daily operations of office buildings and healthcare facilities. For corporate leaders, this presents an urgent call to action. The pervasive nature of PFAS contamination demands a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship, one that considers the full scope of a company's water usage and its potential impact on both local and global water systems.

Regulatory Landscape and Proposed Solutions

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies — with the EPA significantly lowering safe PFAS thresholds in drinking water — companies across sectors must reassess their PFAS footprint and mitigation strategies.

The researchers advocate for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the PFAS challenge, recognizing that no single solution will suffice. A few such approaches may include:

• Pigouvian taxes: Implementing taxes on PFAS-containing products to internalize the environmental costs. This economic tool could discourage the use of PFAS while generating funds for remediation efforts.

• Stricter regulations: Calling for more rigorous industrial process controls and emissions standards to limit PFAS release into the environment. This could include mandatory testing and reporting requirements for manufacturers.

• Information campaigns: Launching widespread public awareness initiatives to educate consumers about PFAS, their health impacts, and how to reduce exposure. This could drive market demand for PFAS-free alternatives.

• Investment in water treatment technology: Encouraging the development and implementation of advanced water treatment technologies capable of removing PFAS from both drinking water and wastewater systems.

• Supply chain scrutiny: Urging companies to conduct thorough audits of their supply chains to identify and eliminate PFAS sources, potentially leading to the development of PFAS-free certification programs.

• Research and development incentives: Proposing tax breaks or grants for companies investing in the development of safe PFAS alternatives or PFAS removal technologies.

• Cross-sector collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between industry, academia, and government agencies to accelerate research into PFAS remediation and replacement strategies.

By implementing a multi-pronged approach, the researchers believe that significant progress can be made in reducing PFAS contamination and its associated health risks, while also driving innovation in safer chemical alternatives.

From Awareness to Action

As the corporate world grapples with growing ESG expectations, the PFAS issue presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Companies that take proactive steps to understand and mitigate their PFAS impact may find themselves better positioned to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and meet the demands of increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and investors.

The West Virginia University study serves as a critical wake-up call for industry-wide introspection and action on PFAS. As these chemicals continue to pose enduring challenges, the corporate response may well define the next chapter in environmental stewardship and public health protection. Read more E+E Leader coverage about PFAS.