Beer, one of the most loved drinks in the world, is made up of over 90% water and this very characteristic pushed a group of US researchers to investigate whether the quality of municipal drinking water used in breweries could influence the presence of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in beer.
The study, published by the American Chemical Society in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technologyadapted the EPA Method 533, usually used for drinking water, to the analysis of beer for the first time. And the results unfortunately leave no doubt: PFAS were detected in the majority of the samples analyzed, with concentrations that in some cases exceeded the limits set by the EPA for drinking water.
What are PFAS and why are they a concern
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for decades to make materials resistant to water, grease and stains. We find them for example in fabrics, food packaging, non-stick pans and fire-fighting foams. They are called “forever chemicals” because they resist degradation and remain for a long time both in the environment and in the human body.
Numerous studies have linked exposure to PFAS to various health risks: reproductive problems, immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and even some types of cancer.
The study
The research team purchased 23 types of beer from different areas of the United States and abroad, and particular attention was paid to breweries located in areas where municipal drinking water was already contaminated with PFAS.
The researchers divided the samples into four categories:
The analyzes used liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, a technique capable of detecting even minimal traces of contaminants.
The evidence collected was clear: 95% of the beers analyzed contained at least one detectable PFAS, the most frequent compounds were PFOS, PFBS and PFHxS and in some beers levels of PFOA and PFOS were found above the limits established by the EPA for drinking water.
Significantly, approximately 18% of US breweries are located in areas where PFAS have already been detected in municipal water systems. It is therefore not surprising that local microbreweries, especially those located near contaminated basins, show higher concentrations of these substances than large national and international brands.
Particularly worrying are the results of analyzes of beers from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, where PFAS levels are very high. The reason is simple: local water is polluted, and this contamination is directly reflected in the beer.
The study therefore suggests that breweries adopt more advanced water treatment systems and regularly monitor the quality of the water source used.
