Are You in a PFAS Hotspot?
Over 200 million Americans have PFAS in their drinking water. The highest contamination occurs near:
- • Military bases (firefighting foam training)
- • Airports (runway foam operations)
- • Landfills & wastewater plants (industrial runoff)
- • Chemical manufacturing sites (3M, DuPont facilities)
- • Chrome plating & electronics factories
Action step: Check the EWG Tap Water Database at ewg.org/tapwater or scroll down for state-by-state hotspots.
Why These Sites Contaminate Water
Military Bases & Training Sites
HIGHEST CONTAMINATION RISK
The Department of Defense used AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) for firefighting training from the 1970s-2010s. This foam contained 3-6% PFAS by weight. Every training exercise dumped thousands of gallons into soil and groundwater.
Real Examples:
- • Pease Air Force Base (NH): 65,000 ppt PFAS (16,000x EPA limit)
- • Naval Air Station Oceana (VA): Contaminated 150,000+ residents
- • Camp Lejeune (NC): $2.2 billion settlement for water contamination
- • Peterson AFB (CO): Entire Widefield aquifer contaminated
If you live within 5 miles of a military base: Your tap water likely has elevated PFAS. Install an RO system immediately.
Commercial & Military Airports
VERY HIGH RISK
Airports use AFFF for runway emergencies and regular training. Even small regional airports have PFAS contamination from decades of foam use. The chemicals seep into aquifers and travel miles downstream.
Confirmed Contaminated Airports:
- • Colorado Springs Airport (CO)
- • Bradley International (CT)
- • Stewart Air National Guard Base (NY)
- • Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MN)
- • Denver International (CO)
Risk zone: 3-10 miles downwind/downstream from airport. Groundwater contamination can travel miles from the source.
Chemical Manufacturing Plants
HIGH RISK
3M, DuPont, Chemours, and other companies manufactured PFAS for decades. Factory waste, air emissions, and "forever chemical" dumping created massive contamination zones.
Notorious Contamination Sites:
- • Fayetteville Works (NC): GenX contamination in Cape Fear River
- • 3M Cottage Grove (MN): Contaminated entire township
- • Hoosick Falls (NY): 100% of residents affected by PFOA
- • West Virginia DuPont plant: C8 lawsuit settled for $671 million
Landfills & Wastewater Treatment
MODERATE-HIGH RISK
Consumer products containing PFAS (non-stick pans, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics) end up in landfills. PFAS leach into groundwater through "landfill leachate." Wastewater plants can't remove PFAS, so contaminated water re-enters drinking supplies.
Common Scenario:
Old non-stick pans → landfill → PFAS leaches into groundwater → nearby wells contaminated → residents drink contaminated water for years before discovery.
PFAS Hotspot States
These states have the highest confirmed PFAS contamination in drinking water. If you live here, testing and filtration are essential.
🔴 Extreme Risk States
- Michigan: 192 contaminated sites, 1.9M affected residents
- New Hampshire: 65,000 ppt near Pease AFB (worst in US)
- New York: 2,400+ sites, widespread industrial contamination
- North Carolina: GenX in Cape Fear River serves 500K+ people
- Pennsylvania: 250+ military/industrial sites
- Minnesota: 3M Cottage Grove plume affects entire metro
🟠 High Risk States
- California: 2,000+ sites, especially Central Valley
- Florida: Military bases + airports throughout state
- Colorado: Peterson AFB contamination ongoing
- Ohio: Wright-Patterson AFB + industrial sites
- Virginia: Naval bases + Pentagon-area contamination
- Wisconsin: Firefighting foam training sites
🟡 Moderate Risk States
- Texas: Multiple military installations
- Arizona: Luke AFB + industrial sites
- Washington: Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Georgia: Robins AFB + Atlanta metro
- Illinois: Scott AFB + industrial sites
🟢 Lower Risk States
States with less military/industrial activity and fewer confirmed sites:
- • Montana, Wyoming, Idaho (rural, low density)
- • West Virginia (except DuPont site)
- • Mississippi, Alabama (limited testing data)
Note: "Lower risk" doesn't mean zero risk. Many rural areas haven't been tested yet.
How to Check if Your Water Has PFAS
Option 1: EWG Tap Water Database (Free)
Environmental Working Group maintains the most comprehensive public database of US water quality. Simply enter your ZIP code to see PFAS levels in your area.
Check EWG Database →Option 2: Request Your CCR (Free)
Every water utility must publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report showing contaminant levels. Call your water company and ask specifically about PFAS testing results.
Warning: Many utilities didn't start PFAS testing until 2023-2024, so older CCRs may not have data.
Option 3: Home Water Test ($150-300)
For definitive results, order a PFAS test kit. You collect a sample, mail it to a certified lab, and get results in 2-3 weeks.
Recommended labs:
- • Tap Score (MyTapScore.com) - $290 for complete PFAS panel
- • SimpleLab - $249 for PFAS test
- • National Testing Labs - $295
What to Do If You're in a Hotspot
✓ Step 1: Install Reverse Osmosis Filter (CRITICAL)
RO systems remove 99.9% of PFAS. This is the ONLY home filtration proven effective. Don't waste money on pitcher filters or carbon filters—they don't work.
Recommended System:
iSpring RCC7AK ($280) - 6-stage RO with alkaline remineralization. NSF-certified for PFAS removal. Installs under sink in 2-3 hours.
⚠️ Step 2: Avoid Tap Water for Drinking/Cooking
Until you install RO filtration:
- • Don't drink tap water (even filtered through Brita)
- • Don't cook with tap water (pasta, rice, soups)
- • Don't make ice cubes with tap water
- • Don't give tap water to pets
- • Showering/bathing is safe (PFAS isn't absorbed through skin)
ℹ️ Step 3: Notify Neighbors
If you discover high PFAS in your water, share the information with neighbors. Community pressure often forces utilities to take action faster. Join local Facebook groups or neighborhood associations to spread awareness.
💰 Step 4: Check for Class Action Lawsuits
Many PFAS-contaminated communities have active lawsuits against 3M, DuPont, or the Department of Defense. You may be eligible for compensation to cover:
- • Water filtration system costs
- • Medical monitoring
- • Property value decline
Search "[your city] PFAS lawsuit" to find active cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't live near a military base or airport. Am I safe?
Not necessarily. PFAS contamination travels through groundwater—you could be miles downstream from a source. Food packaging, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant products also contain PFAS. Even "clean" areas can have low-level contamination. Check the EWG database to be sure.
My water utility says PFAS levels are "below the limit." Is that safe?
It depends. The EPA set the enforceable limit at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) in 2024. But some health advocates recommend ZERO detectable PFAS, since these chemicals accumulate in your body over decades. Even "safe" levels add up over time. If your water has any detectable PFAS, consider RO filtration.
Can I sue for PFAS contamination?
Yes, if you can prove your water was contaminated by a specific source (military base, factory, etc.). Many communities have won multi-million dollar settlements. Contact a local environmental attorney for a free consultation. Class action lawsuits are common for PFAS cases.
How long does PFAS stay in your body?
PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment AND in your body. PFOA has a half-life of 2-4 years in human blood, meaning it takes years to eliminate even after exposure stops. Some newer PFAS compounds persist even longer. This is why immediate filtration is critical—you want to stop accumulation now.
Don't Wait for Your Utility to Fix the Problem
Water utilities are decades behind on PFAS cleanup. Protect your family NOW with proven RO filtration. Remove 99.9% of PFAS for $280—less than 3 months of bottled water.