About 19% of people in Oregon at risk for PFAS in groundwater

(NOVEMBER 21, 2024) A recent study shows that about 800,000 people in Oregon may be drinking water from wells that have harmful chemicals called PFAS. These chemicals are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) tested over 1,200 groundwater samples across the United States. They used these results to predict how many people might be affected by PFAS. The study was published in late October, 2024.

Oregon ranks 25th in the country for the number of people who may be drinking contaminated water. These areas are mostly along the Interstate 5, where many people live.

Nationally, more than half of people in the lower 48 states drink water that might have PFAS chemicals in it. Andrea Tokranov, the lead author of the study, said, “That’s a pretty striking number that I don’t think they expected going in.”

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down. That is why they are called “forever chemicals.” These chemicals can build up in people’s blood over time. They may cause health problems such as cancer and high blood pressure. Scientists are still studying the full effects of PFAS.

PFAS chemicals were created in the 1940s. They are often used in products that need to repel oil, grease, or water. They can be found in products like makeup, waterproof clothing, and non-stick cookware.

PFAS can enter water through pollution from places like firefighter training sites, industrial areas, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. These chemicals can travel through water or rain and seep into the ground. Then they can reach the underground water sources that public and private wells use.

This study could help public water suppliers, who will need to start testing for PFAS by 2029. Removing PFAS from water can be very expensive. Some cities, like Vancouver, are already working on plans to install filters by 2029. Vancouver’s water comes from underground wells, and much of it already has PFAS levels that are higher than the new federal limits.