Socioeconomic Disparities in Exposures to PFAS and Other Unregulated Industrial Drinking Water Contaminants in US Public Water Systems
Aaron J. Maruzzo, Amanda B. Hernandez, Christopher H. Swartz, Jahred M. Liddie, Laurel A. Schaider | January 15th, 2025
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.
Keywords
disadvantaged communities (DACs), drinking water, pollutants