NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)October 25, 2026Hillsborough County
Environment America reports widespread PFAS contamination across Florida waterways
Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)
A new research report reveals that roughly 96 percent of tested Florida waterways contain synthetic 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS. The findings highlight widespread environmental contamination linked to industrial products, runoff, and firefighting foam, coinciding with a new state law taking effect July 1 to phase out certain uses.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
Residents across Florida, including those relying on the Hillsborough River for drinking water or consuming fish from local lakes, face potential health risks from persistent toxic chemicals linked to cancer and developmental problems.
Key Facts
- Roughly 96 percent of 23 Florida waterways tested between 2022 and 2024 contained 43 different kinds of PFAS.
- Nationwide, 83 percent of 1,602 waterways tested were contaminated with PFAS, with up to 114 different kinds detected.
- The report was published this month by the Environment America Research & Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, and Frontier Group.
- PFAS are manufactured chemicals used since the 1940s in nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, cosmetics, and firefighting foam.
- The chemicals do not break down easily and have been linked to prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, high cholesterol, obesity, and developmental problems.
- Contaminated Florida waterways span from Miami to the Panhandle, including the Hillsborough River which provides drinking water for Tampa.
- In central Florida, 36 PFAS compounds were detected at all six monitoring sites in Tiger Lake.
- A new state law took effect July 1 aiming to address PFAS in Florida by phasing out aqueous film-forming foam.
- Data used in the report came primarily from the EPA, Waterkeeper Alliance, and state environmental agencies in Maine and Massachusetts.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Collected surface water monitoring data”OrganizationHolloman Air Force Base“Location near Holloman Lake in New Mexico”PersonChristian Wells“Professor of anthropology and director of the Center for Brownfields Research an”locationHillsborough River“Florida waterway that provides drinking water for Tampa”locationTiger Lake“Central Florida lake where 36 PFAS compounds were detected”OrganizationU.S. PIRG Education Fund“Co-publisher of the report”OrganizationMilwaukee Mitchell International Airport“Location near high PFAS concentration waterways in Wisconsin”OrganizationWaterkeeper Alliance“Contributed surface water monitoring data”OrganizationEnvironment America Research & Policy Center“Co-publisher of the report on PFAS contamination”OrganizationInside Climate News“Original publisher of the article”PersonJohn Rumpler“Clean water director and senior attorney at Environment America Research & Polic”OrganizationUniversity of South Florida“Institution of Christian Wells”OrganizationFrontier Group“Co-publisher of the report”OrganizationBrunswick Executive Airport“Location of a high PFAS concentration in a retention pond in Maine”