2025/01/01 by Aaron J. Maruzzo, Amanda B. Hernandez, Christopher H. Swartz +2 · 1 voice · 8 citations
Chemistry · Environmental Science · Medicine · #Biology #Chemistry #Contamination #Ecology #Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals #Environmental chemistry #Environmental health #Environmental protection #Environmental science #Medicine #Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research #Public health #Socioeconomic status #Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact #Water contamination #Water pollutants #Water quality #Waterborne diseases
paper · doi:10.1289/ehp14721
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
BACKGROUND: Unregulated contaminants in drinking water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can contribute to cumulative health risks, particularly in overburdened and less-advantaged communities. To our knowledge, there has been no nationwide assessment of socioeconomic disparities in exposures to unregulated contaminants in drinking water. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to identify determinants of unregulated contaminant detection among US public water systems (PWSs) and evaluate disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: US EPA health reference level that was in effect in 2017. RESULTS: More than 97 million US residents were served by a PWS with detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane (22% of PWSs), HCFC-22 (5.8%), 1,1-dichloroethane (4.7%), and/or PFAS (4.0%). Unregulated contaminant detection was more frequent among large systems, urban systems, and systems using groundwater or a combination of groundwater and surface water. In comparison with PWSs with no detectable levels of these unregulated contaminants, PWSs with detectable levels served counties with higher proportions of Hispanic residents (17% vs. 13%), as did PWSs that exceeded EPA health reference levels in comparison with PWSs with no exceedances (18% vs. 14%). There were persistent positive associations between proportions of Hispanic residents and detections of target contaminants, even after accounting for pollution sources. DISCUSSION: Previously, inequities in exposures to drinking water contaminants were underestimated because prior studies have focused on regulated contaminants. PWSs serving counties with more Hispanic residents, non-Hispanic Black residents, and urban households may benefit from additional resources to proactively mitigate unregulated chemical contamination. Future studies should evaluate factors underlying these disparities to promote actions that protect water quality for all residents. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14721.