Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

PFAS in Drinking Water: Responding to Community Concerns

December 05, 2023

Interviewee: Jane Hoppin, Sc.D.

In this episode, Jane Hoppin, Sc.D., discusses how she helped launch a study to address North Carolina residents’ concerns following the discovery of PFAS in their drinking water. She also provides tips to reduce one’s exposure to PFAS in drinking water.

PFAS in Drinking Water: Responding to Community Concerns

When GenX and other PFAS chemicals were found in the drinking water of several North Carolina communities, residents had many questions about their exposure and the resulting health effects. Scientists funded by NIEHS and the Superfund Research Program stepped in to help find answers to those questions by initiating the GenX Exposure Study. Led by Jane Hoppin, Sc.D., they measured PFAS levels in residents’ blood, urine, and tap water. Now the team is studying the potential health impacts of PFAS exposure.

When GenX and other PFAS chemicals were found in the drinking water of several North Carolina communities, residents had many questions about their exposure and the resulting health effects. Scientists funded by NIEHS and the Superfund Research Program stepped in to help find answers to those questions by initiating the GenX Exposure Study. Led by Jane Hoppin, Sc.D., they measured PFAS levels in residents’ blood, urine, and tap water. Now the team is studying the potential health impacts of PFAS exposure.