Billion-Dollar Crisis: Are 'Forever Chemicals' Secretly Sabotaging Your Health? The Shocking Truth Inside!

In a troubling revelation for public health, a study led by the University of Arizona found that contamination from "forever chemicals," scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water costs the contiguous United States at least $8 billion each year in social costs. This figure encompasses medical care, long-term health impacts, and reduced lifetime earnings associated with health issues arising from PFAS exposure.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research investigates data from all births in New Hampshire between 2010 and 2019, focusing specifically on mothers residing near PFAS-contaminated sites. The findings are alarming: mothers who drew water from wells affected by PFAS contamination experienced significantly higher rates of infant mortality, preterm births—including those occurring before 28 weeks—and low birth weights, with some infants weighing less than 2.2 pounds.

“If we compare costs we're finding versus the cost of cleaning up PFAS, the answers are obvious. Removing PFAS from drinking water not only results in drastically improved health outcomes. It also produces a significant long-term economic benefit,” said Derek Lemoine, a coauthor of the study and professor of economics at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management.

Lemoine collaborated with fellow Eller professor Ashley Langer and Bo Guo, an associate professor in hydrology and atmospheric sciences. Their joint effort arose from a collaboration fostered by the Arizona Institute for Resilience, emphasizing the intersection of economics and environmental science. Lemoine and Langer were particularly drawn to Guo’s extensive research on PFAS, while Guo was intrigued by the economists' examination of long-term health and economic impacts.

Initially developed for protective coatings in various products, PFAS are referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment. They permeate numerous items and are utilized in firefighting, leading to their widespread contamination. The study emphasizes that exposure to these chemicals poses significant health risks, particularly for infants whose mothers may have ingested contaminated water. While previous research suggested potential health risks, this study provides real-world evidence connecting PFAS exposure to adverse health outcomes among a large population.

According to Langer, “We found really substantial impacts on infant health, which expanded on what others before us had found. What we then do is calculate how these negative birth outcomes follow these children throughout their lives. The numbers we found represent the lowest end of the economic impact—we suspect it is even more.”

This investigation concentrated on two long-chain PFAS—PFOA and PFOS—which are no longer manufactured in the U.S. but continue to leach into groundwater from soils where they have accumulated. Guo remarked, “Whatever PFAS we see in groundwater is only a tiny fraction of the PFAS that has been dumped in the environment. The majority of PFAS is still in the soil and migrating downward.”

The authors underscore the importance of future research examining the health effects of newer PFAS compounds and the ramifications of long-term exposure. They also mention that activated carbon filters, whether employed by water utilities or installed in homes, are effective in removing these hazardous substances from drinking water.

Lemoine further noted, “These chemicals may be everywhere, but we still find that drinking water matters for pregnant women. Installing and maintaining home water filters could be prudent for them.”

The findings of this study signal an urgent need for action regarding PFAS contamination. The estimated annual cost of $8 billion underscores the financial implications alongside the devastating health effects on infants and future generations. As awareness of PFAS dangers grows, so too does the necessity for rigorous cleanup efforts and effective regulations to protect vulnerable populations and ensure safer drinking water.

For more detailed information on this topic, refer to the journal article by Baluja, R., et al. (2025) titled "PFAS-contaminated drinking water harms infants" in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (doi: 10.1073/pnas.2509801122).