Surreal illustration of water contamination with a polluted cloud inside a glass of water.

Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water: Are You at Risk?

Soraya Malik in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the pervasive threat of fluoroethers like HFPO-DA in US water supplies, urging immediate action to protect public health."

In early April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a concerning discovery: a fluoroether, specifically hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), was found contaminating public and private well water near a Chemours plant in Petersburg, West Virginia. This marked the first known instance of HFPO-DA contamination in U.S. water sources outside of North Carolina, raising alarms about the widespread potential for similar contamination across the country.

HFPO-DA, part of a class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has been detected in the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, in river sediments, rainwater and well water. PFAS contamination is now a widespread problem drawing national attention. The chemical, discharged from a Chemours plant near Fayetteville, raises questions about how industrial chemicals impact drinking water and broader environmental health.

The presence of HFPO-DA in West Virginia and Ohio drinking water highlights a critical issue: the potential health risks associated with consuming water contaminated with industrial chemicals and the effectiveness of current filtration systems. As communities grapple with these revelations, understanding the sources, dangers, and solutions for fluoroether contamination becomes increasingly important.

What are Fluoroethers and Why are They a Concern?

Surreal illustration of water contamination with a polluted cloud inside a glass of water.

Fluoroethers, including HFPO-DA, are a subgroup of PFAS, a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in various industrial processes and consumer products. PFAS are valued for their heat resistance, water, and oil-repellent properties. They are used in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and food packaging.

These chemicals are incredibly persistent in the environment and the human body, leading to their nickname 'forever chemicals.' Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds resist degradation, allowing them to accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms. The health effects of many PFAS, including HFPO-DA, are not fully understood, but some have been linked to adverse health outcomes.

Cancer Risks: Studies suggest that PFAS exposure, including PFOA (a related compound), may increase the risk of certain cancers.
Immune System Disruption: PFAS can interfere with the immune system, potentially reducing vaccine effectiveness and increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Developmental Effects: Exposure to PFAS during pregnancy and early childhood may lead to developmental issues, including altered growth, learning, and behavior.
Hormone Disruption: PFAS can disrupt hormone function, affecting metabolism, reproduction, and overall health.
Liver and Thyroid Problems: Elevated PFAS levels have been associated with liver damage and thyroid abnormalities.

Given the potential health risks and the ability of fluoroethers to spread, addressing this contamination is essential to protect public health and safeguard water resources. Regulatory agencies and environmental organizations are actively working to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with these chemicals.

Taking Action: What Can Be Done?

The discovery of fluoroether contamination highlights the need for vigilant monitoring, comprehensive regulation, and proactive measures to protect drinking water sources. Communities, individuals, and policymakers all have a role in addressing this challenge and ensuring access to clean, safe water for all.

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are Fluoroethers like HFPO-DA, and why are they considered a significant threat to water safety?

Fluoroethers, such as HFPO-DA, belong to the broader class of PFAS. These are synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. The presence of HFPO-DA in drinking water is a concern because, as 'forever chemicals', they don't break down easily and can accumulate in the environment and our bodies. This persistence, combined with potential health risks, makes them a significant threat. The article highlights how HFPO-DA contamination near industrial sites, like the Chemours plant in West Virginia, poses a risk to both public and private water supplies, underlining the need for immediate action to protect public health.

What are the potential health risks associated with exposure to HFPO-DA and other PFAS chemicals found in contaminated water?

Exposure to PFAS, including HFPO-DA, has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Some studies suggest an increased risk of certain cancers. These chemicals can disrupt the immune system, potentially reducing the effectiveness of vaccines and increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases. Exposure during pregnancy and early childhood may lead to developmental issues. Furthermore, PFAS can interfere with hormone function, potentially affecting metabolism and reproduction. Elevated levels of PFAS have also been associated with liver damage and thyroid abnormalities. These risks underscore the need to understand and mitigate fluoroether contamination.

Why is the discovery of HFPO-DA contamination in West Virginia and Ohio a major concern, and how does it relate to the situation in North Carolina?

The discovery of HFPO-DA in West Virginia and Ohio signifies a potential expansion of the contamination problem beyond what was previously known. This is alarming because it suggests that HFPO-DA, originating from sources like the Chemours plant, could be more widespread than initially anticipated. It echoes the situation in North Carolina, where HFPO-DA and other PFAS have contaminated the Cape Fear River and well water. The common thread is industrial discharge leading to the spread of these chemicals, impacting drinking water sources, and raising critical questions about industrial chemical impact on environmental health.

How are communities and individuals supposed to protect themselves from fluoroether contamination in drinking water, and what solutions are available?

While the article does not specify individual actions, the key is the implementation of vigilant monitoring, comprehensive regulation, and proactive measures to protect drinking water sources. Communities and individuals can support and demand rigorous testing of water supplies. Granulated activated carbon filters offer a potential solution for removing fluoroethers from water. However, it's important to understand that the long-term solution involves regulatory agencies and environmental organizations working to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with these chemicals, as the presence of HFPO-DA highlights the need for proactive measures to ensure access to clean, safe water for all.

What role do regulatory agencies and environmental organizations play in addressing the issue of fluoroether contamination, and what further actions are expected?

Regulatory agencies, like the EPA, and environmental organizations are actively engaged in understanding and mitigating the risks associated with fluoroethers. Their role involves monitoring water supplies, assessing the extent of contamination, and developing regulations to limit the release of PFAS into the environment. Further actions expected include more stringent regulations on industrial discharges, improved testing and monitoring of water sources, and research into effective remediation technologies. The overall goal is to protect public health by preventing further contamination and reducing exposure to these 'forever chemicals' like HFPO-DA in drinking water.