Pesticides and PFAS: Researchers find thousands of chemicals in our groundwater
Økologisk NuNew analysis methods show that there are thousands of chemicals in our drinking water - some of which scientists cannot even name yet. Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark, in a research project supported by the Danish National Research Foundation, examined 81 groundwater boreholes together with the Environmental Protection Agency. They found man-made chemicals in all of the boreholes, writes Ritzau. Additionally, they tested water at waterworks and in ordinary households. Among the chemicals that can be identified are new PFAS substances, residues from pesticides, and residues from medicines. However, the concentrations are so small that there should be no fear of drinking the water: "But I do think we can still be concerned that there are so many different substances being released into households," says associate professor and project leader Martin Hansen to Ritzau. He expects that the list of man-made chemicals found in our drinking water will only grow longer in the future.
New analysis methods show that there are thousands of chemicals in our drinking water - some of which scientists cannot even name yet.
It is researchers from the Technical University of Denmark who, in a research project supported by the Danish National Research Foundation, examined 81 groundwater wells together with the Environmental Protection Agency. Here, they found man-made chemicals in all wells, writes Ritzau.
Additionally, they have investigated water at waterworks and in ordinary households.
Among the chemicals that can be identified, new PFAS substances, residues from pesticides, and residues from medicines have been found.
The concentrations are so small, however, that there should be no fear of drinking the water:
"But I do think we can maintain a concern that there are so many different substances being released into households," says associate professor and project leader Martin Hansen to Ritzau.
He expects that the list of man-made chemicals found in our drinking water will only grow longer in the future.