The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
What are PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications, from the linings of fast-food boxes and non-stick cookware to fire-fighting foams and other purposes. Their persistence in the environment and occurrence across the country make them a unique water quality concern. Drinking water quality and potential exposures to per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances at the point of use (tapwater) are a rising concern in the United States.
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Related
Where can I get USGS water quality (water chemistry) data for surface water and/or groundwater?
Water quality data is freely available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) and the Water Quality Portal (data from multiple agencies, including the USGS). Sometimes these data are hard to understand, so you can also contact the USGS Water Science Center for the state in question to request data and reports from studies that might have been conducted on water quality. The...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
What can be causing our drinking water to have a reddish color?
Your water might be affected by iron, which is a commonly-occurring constituent of drinking water. Iron tends to add a rusty, reddish-brown (or sometimes yellow) color to water. If the color is more black than red, your water might contain a combination of iron and manganese. Both of these metals can cause staining of plumbing fixtures or laundry, but they are not known to cause health problems...
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
What can cause our water to have an earthy odor or to smell like rotten eggs?
Naturally-occurring organic compounds are created when plant material decays in lakes and reservoirs. Those organic compounds frequently cause musty, earthy odors, especially toward the end of summer. The odors can be objectionable, but generally are not harmful to health. However, odors can be caused by other constituents as well, so you might want to call your local Health Department and mention...
How frequently are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in groundwater?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are widely used in the manufacture of many products including refrigerants, plastics, adhesives, paints, and petroleum products, have been detected in about one-third of the wells sampled by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the USGS. Chloroform and other trihalomethanes, the most commonly detected compounds, were found in about 9...
Does the USGS have data on PFAS in drinking water?
Use the USGS PFAS in US Tapwater interactive Dashboard to find PFA data for drinking water. Instructions are on the website or watch a short video about the dashboard. The dashboard incorporates data from several USGS reports that cover PFAS in water sources, including community water supplies. Some notable studies and datasets that were used for the dashboard include: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl...
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
PFAS in Select U.S. Tapwater Locations
This USGS map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only locations in the U.S. with PFAS.
This USGS map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only locations in the U.S. with PFAS.
Groundwater sampling for PFAS
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
PFAS Snow Sampling
Photograph of snow sampling in Cloudcroft, NM, USGS - New Mexico Water Science Center.
Photograph of snow sampling in Cloudcroft, NM, USGS - New Mexico Water Science Center.
Collecting a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Conceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of PFAS
linkConceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment.
Conceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of PFAS
linkConceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment.
Related
Where can I get USGS water quality (water chemistry) data for surface water and/or groundwater?
Water quality data is freely available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) and the Water Quality Portal (data from multiple agencies, including the USGS). Sometimes these data are hard to understand, so you can also contact the USGS Water Science Center for the state in question to request data and reports from studies that might have been conducted on water quality. The...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
What can be causing our drinking water to have a reddish color?
Your water might be affected by iron, which is a commonly-occurring constituent of drinking water. Iron tends to add a rusty, reddish-brown (or sometimes yellow) color to water. If the color is more black than red, your water might contain a combination of iron and manganese. Both of these metals can cause staining of plumbing fixtures or laundry, but they are not known to cause health problems...
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
What can cause our water to have an earthy odor or to smell like rotten eggs?
Naturally-occurring organic compounds are created when plant material decays in lakes and reservoirs. Those organic compounds frequently cause musty, earthy odors, especially toward the end of summer. The odors can be objectionable, but generally are not harmful to health. However, odors can be caused by other constituents as well, so you might want to call your local Health Department and mention...
How frequently are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in groundwater?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are widely used in the manufacture of many products including refrigerants, plastics, adhesives, paints, and petroleum products, have been detected in about one-third of the wells sampled by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the USGS. Chloroform and other trihalomethanes, the most commonly detected compounds, were found in about 9...
Does the USGS have data on PFAS in drinking water?
Use the USGS PFAS in US Tapwater interactive Dashboard to find PFA data for drinking water. Instructions are on the website or watch a short video about the dashboard. The dashboard incorporates data from several USGS reports that cover PFAS in water sources, including community water supplies. Some notable studies and datasets that were used for the dashboard include: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl...
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
PFAS in Select U.S. Tapwater Locations
This USGS map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only locations in the U.S. with PFAS.
This USGS map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only locations in the U.S. with PFAS.
Groundwater sampling for PFAS
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
PFAS Snow Sampling
Photograph of snow sampling in Cloudcroft, NM, USGS - New Mexico Water Science Center.
Photograph of snow sampling in Cloudcroft, NM, USGS - New Mexico Water Science Center.
Collecting a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Conceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of PFAS
linkConceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment.
Conceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of PFAS
linkConceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment.
Updated Date: January 29, 2025