Map Shows Where Beers Are Most Contaminated With Chemicals: Study

By Anna Skinner | Newsweek | May 7, 2025

Read the full article by Anna Skinner (Newsweek)

"A new study by researchers at RTI International has found that several American beers contain measurable levels of "forever chemicals," with the source traced primarily to municipal drinking water used in the brewing process. According to the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were present in beers produced in areas already known to have contaminated water supplies.

Why It Matters

PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals used in non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, and firefighting foams, among other products. Their nickname—"forever chemicals"—comes from their ability to persist in the environment and human body for years. The presence of these chemicals in beer highlights a broader issue about the vulnerability of food and beverage production to environmental contaminants.

What to Know

Researchers analyzed beers from nine states, including North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri and Colorado. International beers examined during the study were brewed in the Netherlands and Mexico."