The State of PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in America 2024

This briefing by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the prevalence, health impacts, and regulatory landscape of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the United States as of 2024. It details the contamination of drinking water and soil, the associated cancer and endocrine risks, and the multi-level government efforts—including the EPA's 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation—to mitigate these 'forever chemicals'.

• PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in at least 200 different applications since the 1940s, including cookware, cosmetics, and firefighting foam. Their chemical structure makes them extremely resistant to breaking down, leading to widespread contamination of soil and water. Research indicates that at least 97% of tested Americans have PFAS compounds in their body fluids.
• Exposure to PFAS is linked to several severe health issues. PFOA is classified as "carcinogenic to humans" by the IARC and is associated with higher kidney cancer rates. Other PFAS are linked to testicular cancer, renal cell carcinoma (particularly in Black populations), immune response suppression, and endocrine disruption, with women experiencing stronger thyroid hormone disruption.
• Drinking water is a primary contamination pathway, with the U.S. Geological Survey estimating that at least 45% of U.S. tap water contains PFAS. As of August 2024, 2,067 U.S. sites have detectable PFAS levels in drinking water. Contamination is recorded in all 50 states, with Black and Latino communities facing a higher likelihood of dangerous concentrations.
• Military sites are significant sources of contamination due to the use of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF). In 2014, 664 U.S. military training sites were identified as likely contaminated. To address this, a Department of Defense interim rule effective October 2023 prohibits the procurement of AFFF containing more than one part per billion of PFAS, unless an exception is granted.
• The EPA has implemented several major regulatory actions under its 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Most notably, the April 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishes maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS. Public water systems must implement compliance programs by 2029.
• State-level responses vary, with 28 states enacting policies to mitigate PFAS harms and 15 states imposing regulations on PFAS in specific products. Maine, Minnesota, and Washington have committed to phasing out PFAS in all products. Additionally, 30 state attorneys general have sued PFAS manufacturers.
• Remediation technologies for water and soil include activated carbon, ion exchange, and high-pressure membranes. In Minnesota, a study of 13 technologies found that the highest-ranked treatments for liquid waste streams would cost the state at least $14 billion. For soil, soil washing can remove between 70% and 90% of PFAS.

APA

Brind’Amour, M. (2024). The State of PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in America 2024. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-the-state-of-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-america-2024

Chicago

Brind’Amour, Molly. The State of PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in America 2024. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2024. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-the-state-of-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-america-2024.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Brind’Amour |first1=Molly |title=The State of PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in America 2024 |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=6 September 2024 |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-the-state-of-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-america-2024 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{brindamour2024state, author = {Brind’Amour, Molly}, title = {{The State of PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in America 2024}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-the-state-of-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-america-2024}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }