Study: Vegetables irrigated by PFAS-contaminated water exposed to the chemicals
The public might be exposed to concerning levels of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through vegetables grown with PFAS-impacted water, according to a study by Colorado School of Mines researchers.
The study, published Tuesday by the journal Environmental Science and Technology, is the first to look into crops irrigated by PFAS-contaminated water.
“While there has been an emphasis on identifying and cleaning up drinking water impacted by PFASs, much less attention has been given to assessing risks from consuming produce irrigated with PFAS-contaminated water,” said lead researcher Juliane Brown.
PFASs are synthetic chemicals used in many products, including firefighting foams, nonstick cooking pans and food contact materials.
Research has shown that exposure to PFASs can cause adverse health effects like cancer, decreased fertility, hormone suppression, liver damage and more.
“This study shows that regulations that solely target perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water are inadequate to protect human health risks from PFASs,” said Christopher Higgins, senior author of the study.
Researchers analyzed how much PFASs are taken into vegetables when they are irrigated with contaminated water, using lettuce as a produce representative.
They found that estimated exposures to most PFASs through crops exceed values of human health toxicity.
The researchers also concluded that even if irrigation water meets the contamination standards for drinking water, the vegetables grown in the water may not be fully protected from PFOA exposure.
The full study is available online.
Co-authors of the study included Geosyntec scientists Jason Conder and Jennifer Arblaster.
The research was funded, in part, by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Northern Colorado water district company looks to underground water storage to bolster supply security
Shen Wu Tan Special to The Denver Gazette
shen-wu-tan-special-to-the-denver-gazette@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 4The Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD) partnered with FrontRange H2O to develop an on-demand groundwater supply and aquifer storage and recovery system called Vita H2O Project. Once built, the system would store excess water underground during wet years.Courtesy...
Colorado landfill methane detection technologies take center stage ahead of regulatory meeting
Scott Weiser
scott-weiser@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 3FILE PHOTO: The Colorado Springs Landfill has been taking in garbage and trash since the 1960's. The Landfill is located at 13320 E. Highway 94. Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission is considering to regulations for mandatory methane collection...
Scott Weiser
Reporter
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival may have to row away from Sloan’s Lake
None None
none-none@midtc.com
Updated 3 days ago
1 of 2FILE PHOTO: The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for Sept. 6-7, 2025, at Sloan's Lake. While it is usually held in July, the elevated bacterial issues in the lake's blue-green algae forced the postponed date. It may...
None None
Reporter
Colorado bans gas-powered lawn equipment. Here’s what you need to know.
Scott Weiser
scott-weiser@midtc.com
Updated 1 week ago
1 of 3FILE PHOTO: Kirsten Schatz, with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, speaks to media members about a recently released report on ozone-causing pollutants from gas powered lawn and garden equipment while standing behind a display of electric garden...
Scott Weiser
Reporter
‘Eat less meat:’ Denver promotes ‘plants-based’ diet in $3 million marketing campaign on climate goals
None None
none-none@midtc.com
Updated 1 week ago
1 of 3A poster for the city's “Do more. Do less. Do something.” campaign at a bus station in Denver.Courtesy, City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency2 of 3A pedicab wrapped in the city's "Do...
None None
Reporter
Community Solar Innovation Summit discusses future of solar energy amidst potential turmoil
Sage Kelley
sage-kelley@midtc.com
Updated 4 weeks ago
1 of 2Coalition for Community Solar Access CEO Jeff Cramer speaks at the second annual Community Solar Innovation Summit in Westminster on Thursday, discussing the future of community solar amongst uncertainty.Sage Kelley/Denver Gazette2 of 2FILE PHOTO: David Spriggs stands with...
Sage Kelley
Reporter
CSU to honor ‘Father of Environmental Ethics’ Holmes Rolston III
No User
no-user@midtc.com
Updated 4 weeks ago
1 of 6Holmes Rolston, III, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts, Colorado State University. Rolston died earlier this year. CSU has a public memorial service planned for Sept. 19.Courtesy photo, William A. Cotton/CSU Photograph2 of 6Shonny...
No User
Reporter
Lakewood named climate action leader for second year in a row
Sage Kelley
sage-kelley@midtc.com
Updated 4 weeks ago
1 of 1Parkgoers enjoy one of Belmar Park's ponds in Lakewood, Colo. on Thursday, May 8, 2025.Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The city of Lakewood is one of over 100 cities throughout...
Sage Kelley
Reporter
Denver Health advice for protection against mosquitoes
Lorelei Smillie
lorelei-smillie@midtc.com
Updated 3 weeks ago
1 of 1FILE PHOTO: Surveillance technician Sydney Schmelzer hangs a mosquito trap near a stream at Rollin D. Barnard Equestrian Park on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)Timothy Hurst / Denver Gazette Facebook Twitter WhatsApp...
Lorelei Smillie
Reporter
Wyoming’s Cyrus Western appointed as new EPA Region 8 Administrator
Scott Weiser
scott-weiser@midtc.com
Updated 4 weeks ago
1 of 1Cyrus Western at the Wyoming State Legislature prior to being appointed as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 8.Courtesy of Matt Idler and Cowboy State Daily President Donald Trump appointed Wyoming native Cyrus M. Western...
Scott Weiser
Reporter