Toxic PFAS in tap water may harm embryos, study finds
April 14, 2026
Toxic PFAS in tap water may harm embryos, study finds
A new University of Adelaide study finds PFAS in tap water may harm embryo development, highlighting drinking water safety concerns
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals found in tap water at levels currently considered safe, affect embryo development, causing irreversible damage that may impact future generations.
The full findings have been published in the journal Environmental Research.
PFAS: What they are and why they matter
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that do not break down naturally and are used across various industries. There are more than 15,000 types of PFAS, all of which are stable, heat-resistant, and oil- and water-repelling.
PFAS can be found in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles, cleaning products, building materials, and legacy firefighting foams.
PFAS chemicals travel easily in water and do not break down, easily entering waterways, spreading across the world, and into people’s homes.
PFAS in tap water found to affect embryos and future generations
Researchers studied the effects of tap water on female mice by providing daily exposure for either four weeks or six months.
The study found that four weeks of low-level exposure to PFAS in tap water was sufficient to reduce cell numbers and impair cellular function in embryos, resulting in DNA damage and reduced embryonic viability.
After six months of exposure to PFAS in tap water, the offspring of mice exhibited lower fetal weight, which is associated with long-term health consequences later in life, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers also found that these effects appeared to be passed down to the daughters and granddaughters of those exposed.
“Our study shows just four weeks of consuming regular tap water with low levels of PFAS chemicals was enough to reduce the number of cells and their function in embryos, causing DNA damage and impairing the viability of the embryo,” said the study’s lead author Dr Yasmyn Winstanley from Adelaide University’s Robinson Research Institute.
“These effects were more obvious after six months of drinking tap water, with reductions in the fetal weight of the offspring after maternal exposure. Low birth weight can have long-term consequences and has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life.
“Most concerning was our finding that these developmental abnormalities appear to be passed on to the daughters and granddaughters of those exposed.
Findings raise questions over current water quality standards
This first-of-its-kind study examined the three most common PFAS in tap water: PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS. Researchers collected and analysed samples from Adelaide’s CBD and four metropolitan residences. PFAS concentrations in these samples were reproduced in water given to animal models, matching municipal supply levels.
“Our study modelled PFAS exposure at levels considered safe by regulatory guidelines. The detrimental effects that were observed were not reversed when exposure stopped or through any antioxidant treatment,” said senior author Professor Rebecca Robker from Adelaide University’s Robinson Research Institute.
“This has important implications for health and highlights the urgent need for better water quality standards to reduce exposure to PFAS and other chemicals.”
The study also examined filtered water and found that carbon filtration reduced PFAS levels, protecting mouse embryos from contamination.
“We not only need to eliminate PFAS from our environment, we need greater awareness of the presence of trace levels in our tap water, and strategies to avoid the ongoing health effects that may come from exposure to these chemicals,” said Professor Robker.
