This study is the first to adapt U.S. EPA Method 533 to detect PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in beer, examining how contamination in municipal drinking water affects PFAS levels in beers brewed across different U.S. states and internationally. Analyzing 23 beers—mostly lagers and ales—from various brewery sizes and locations, the research found that PFAS, particularly PFOS, PFOA, and PFBS, were frequently detected in beers, especially those brewed in areas with known PFAS contamination in tap water.
The study demonstrates a strong correlation between PFAS in brewing water and PFAS levels in beer, with smaller breweries located near contaminated water sources showing higher PFAS concentrations. It also emphasizes that conventional water treatment at breweries may not remove PFAS, highlighting the need for improved filtration practices.
By revealing that 18% of U.S. breweries operate in areas with PFAS-contaminated municipal water, the study provides essential data for brewers, consumers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about PFAS exposure and risk in beverages.
Author(s): Redmon, Jennifer Hoponick; DeLuca, Nicole M.; Thorp, Evan; Liyanapatirana, Chamindu; Allen, Laura; Kondash, Andrew J.
Published: 2025
Language: English
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Additional Information
Beer has been a popular beverage for millennia. As water is a main component of beer and the brewing process, we surmised that the polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presence and spatial variability in drinking water systems are a PFAS source in beers. This is the first study to adapt EPA Method 533 to measure PFAS in beer from various regions, brewery types, and water sources. Statistical analyses were conducted to correlate PFAS in state-reported drinking water, and beers were analyzed by brewing location. PFAS were detected in most beers, particularly from smaller scale breweries located near drinking water sources with known PFAS. Perfluorosulfonic acids, particularly PFOS, were frequently detected, with PFOA or PFOS above U.S. EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Limits in some beers. There was also a county–level correlation between the total PFAS, PFOA, and PFBS concentrations in drinking water and beers. Given that approximately 18% of U.S. breweries are located within zip codes with detectable PFAS in municipal drinking water, our findings, which link PFAS in beer to the brewery water source, are intended to help inform data-driven policies on PFAS in beverages for governmental agencies, provide insights for brewers and water utilities on treatment needs, and support informed decision-making for consumers.