Exposure to synthetic PFAS chemicals in drinking water may increase the risk of certain cancers by up to 33%.
Nearly 2 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a contributing factor. These synthetic chemicals, found in food packaging, household products, and personal care items, are known endocrine disruptors that persist in the body and increase the risk of cancer, liver damage, and immune system dysfunction. Recent research suggests that PFAS in drinking water may elevate the risk of cancers affecting the mouth and throat as well as the digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.
Researchers collected data on PFAS levels in U.S. public drinking water systems and county-level cancer rates from 2016 to 2021. Then, using statistical analysis, they estimated the number of cancer cases attributable to PFAS exposure.
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They found that PFAS in drinking water was associated with increased cancer rates in the digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth/throat systems, with risk increases of up to 33%. Among men, PFAS exposure was linked to higher rates of leukemia and cancers of the urinary tract, brain, and soft tissues, while among women, it was associated with thyroid, mouth/throat, and soft tissue cancers. Their analysis estimated that PFAS in drinking water contributes to approximately 4,600 to 6,900 new cancer cases annually, depending on the dataset used.
These findings highlight the potential risks of PFAS exposure. Because PFAS are present in plastics, microplastics are a significant source of exposure. Learn more about PFAS and microplastics in our overview article.