PFAS in Our Water
Why AI Must Be Part of the Solution to “Forever Chemicals"
Millions of Americans are drinking water contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, so-called “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment and the human body. According to a recent Fortune story, roughly 200 million people, or about 60% of the U.S. population, are served by water systems with measurable levels of PFAS like PFOA and PFOS. These substances are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to cancer, developmental delays, and immune suppression, yet most people have no idea they’ve been exposed.
“It’s widespread,” said Dr. Tracey Woodruff, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at UCSF. “Even though PFAS itself doesn’t cause infant mortality, it does increase the risk of a condition that can increase the risk of an infant dying.”
How Did We Get Here?
PFAS contamination comes from a wide range of sources:
Industrial runoff, especially near manufacturing sites
Unlined landfills that leach PFAS into groundwater
Firefighting foams used on military bases and airports
Fertilizers made from treated sewage sludge
Consumer products like non-stick pans and water-repellent clothing
Because PFAS break down extremely slowly, they accumulate over time, moving through soil, into drinking water and food, and ultimately into our bloodstreams.
The Limits of Current Surveillance
Most PFAS testing is still done through costly and delayed lab analysis. That means communities often find out about contamination long after exposure has occurred. Worse still, regulatory standards only cover a tiny fraction of the over 15,000 known PFAS compounds.
As a public health researcher, I believe the problem isn’t just the chemicals, it’s that we lack the infrastructure to detect and respond to contamination in real time. And that’s where artificial intelligence (AI) could make a real difference.
A Smarter, Faster Way Forward
AI has enormous potential to help:
It can model likely PFAS hotspots based on industrial activity, hydrology, and land use.
It can integrate health outcome data (like from the CDC’s PLACES or SEER cancer registries) to flag at-risk communities.
It can predict contamination before it’s found in a lab, enabling preventive action.
But to work, AI tools must be designed for transparency, equity, and public health utility, not just scientific curiosity. As I told Fortune, “We need to stop thinking of this as just a chemical problem, it’s a systems failure.”
Environmental Justice and Public Trust
PFAS contamination disproportionately affects rural areas, communities of color, and low-income neighborhoods, places historically excluded from robust environmental surveillance. Without deliberate attention to equity, AI systems risk reinforcing these disparities rather than solving them.
Dr. Woodruff put it plainly: “It’s really important that the government does its job. This is why cuts to the EPA are so, so bad.”
We must invest in smarter, more just systems to monitor environmental threats—ones that don’t wait for illness to trigger action. AI won’t solve the PFAS crisis alone, but it can be a vital tool in a preventive public health strategy grounded in science, equity, and accountability.
What Can You Do Right Now?
Test your tap water: ask your utility or check local sampling data.
Use certified filters, such as those with reverse osmosis or activated carbon.
Stay informed on legislation like the EPA's PFAS and trichloroethylene (TCE) limits.
Advocate for stronger standards and public access to real-time monitoring.
Whether you're enjoying a leisurely cup or filling up at the kitchen sink, water protection should be non-negotiable.
Read the full article in Fortune here:
Freedman A. Forever chemicals are in your drinking water: Here’s how worried to be—and what to do about it. Fortune Well. Published June 26, 2025. https://fortune.com/well/2025/06/26/forever-chemicals-pfas-drinking-water-safety-risks/
Mindi Messmer, MS, PG, CG is an environmental and public health scientist and author of Female Disruptors: Stories of Mighty Female Scientists. The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and through your local bookstore.