Forever Chemicals in Your Beer: Study Finds PFAS Exceeding EPA Limits in U.S. Brews

Beer lovers, brace yourselves: a new study reveals that some American brews contain forever chemicals, known as PFAS, at levels exceeding EPA safety limits. These persistent pollutants, found in everything from non-stick pans to drinking water, are sneaking into your pint.

Researchers from the ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology tested 23 beers, focusing on areas with known water contamination. Their findings? Beers from North Carolina, California, and Michigan showed elevated PFAS levels, with a clear link to contaminated municipal water supplies. The culprits, perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, were detected in 95% of the beers tested.

While breweries use filtration systems, they aren’t equipped to block PFAS. International beers, including one from Holland and two from Mexico, showed lower or undetectable levels, suggesting cleaner water sources abroad.

“As a beer drinker, I’m concerned about PFAS in our water sneaking into my glass,” said lead researcher Jennifer Hoponick Redmon. Her team adapted an EPA water-testing tool to uncover this hidden contamination, urging better water treatment to keep future brews safe.

This isn’t just about taste—it’s about health. PFAS are linked to serious health risks, and their presence in beer highlights the broader issue of water quality in the U.S. So, next time you raise a glass, you might wonder: what’s really in your brew?