Can PFAS in South Florida drinking water be linked to liver cancer?

What's actually in it

Drinking water in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties contains PFAS from industrial sources, fire training sites, and consumer product waste. These "forever chemicals" persist in groundwater and are not fully removed by standard water treatment. Residents drink PFAS-contaminated water every day without knowing it.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Res assessed PFAS levels in South Florida drinking water and explored potential links to liver cancer mortality in the region. The researchers found detectable PFAS in multiple water samples and noted correlations between PFAS contamination and liver cancer death rates in the area.

The liver is where PFAS accumulate most heavily in the body. Decades of exposure through drinking water creates a high local concentration that can promote cancer development through oxidative stress and immune disruption.

If you live in South Florida or any area near military or industrial PFAS sources, test your water and install a certified PFAS-removal filter. Reverse osmosis systems are the most effective option.