Beer drinkers beware: Scientists find 'forever chemicals' exceeding EPA limits in American brews
A team from the ACS' Environmental Science & Technology conducted a study to find out how polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or "forever chemicals" get into beers and how much they contain.
"As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints. I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said.
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While breweries have water filtration and treatment systems, these are not designed to prevent PFAS from entering into the batch.
By modifying an EPA testing tool for analyzing levels of PFAS in drinking water, Redmon and her team tested 23 beers.
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The team tested beers from areas with known documented water system contamination along with some other popular beers with unknown water sources.
Through their research, it was found that beer brewed in North Carolina, California, and Michigan had elevated levels of this PFAS.
The researchers found a strong correlation between PFAS concentrations in municipal drinking water and levels in locally brewed beer.
In 95% of the beer tested, PFAS was found with perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, two forever chemicals with recently established EPA limits in drinking water.
International beers tested — one from Holland and two from Mexico — were less likely to have detectable PFAS.
"Our findings indicate a strong link between PFAS in drinking water and beer, with beers brewed in areas with higher PFAS in local drinking water translating to higher levels of PFAS in beer, showing that drinking water is a primary route of PFAS contamination in beer," the research team concluded.Original article source: Beer drinkers beware: Scientists find 'forever chemicals' exceeding EPA limits in American brews
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Purchase Research Report and Receive a 25% Discount: Rising Prevalence of Disabilities and Neurological Disorders Fueling Market Growth Coherent Market Insights' latest global medical exoskeleton market research report provides insights into key factors driving the industry's growth. One such key growth driver is the increasing incidence of neurological disorders and physical disabilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 3 billion people worldwide are living with a neurological condition. This rise in neurological disorders like stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral palsy is expected to boost demand for medical exoskeletons. Medical exoskeletons are designed to assist or enhance human movement. They have the tendency to support rehabilitation by assisting weakened muscles. These wearable mechanical devices consist of structural components, control systems, sensors, motors, and actuators that work together to mimic human motion. High Cost and Regulatory Hurdles Limiting Market Growth The global medical exoskeleton market outlook indicates strong future growth. However, high cost of medical exoskeletons and regulatory challenges are expected to limit market expansion to some extent. Advanced medical exoskeletons are quite expensive, costing thousands of dollars. This high cost deters patients with disabilities from opting for medical exoskeletons, leading to reduced market demand. Similarly, medical exoskeletons must undergo rigorous and often lengthy regulatory approval processes. These processes can delay product launches and increase development costs, potentially hindering the global medical exoskeleton market growth. Ongoing Innovations Creating Lucrative Growth Opportunities Innovation remains a prime area of focus for medical exoskeleton companies to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Leading industry players are constantly integrating AI, IoT, sensors, and lightweight materials in their products to enhance functionality, comfort, and adaptability of medical exoskeletons. Similarly, advancements in battery technologies and wearable designs are making medical exoskeletons more attractive, accessible, and user-friendly. These innovations are expected to play a key role in boosting the overall global medical exoskeleton market value during the forecast period. Impact of AI on the Global Medical Exoskeleton Market Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating strides in the global medical exoskeleton market. This advanced technology is transforming rigid assistive devices into adaptive, intelligent companions. AI enables exoskeletons to anticipate users' intentions as well as deliver real-time motion adjustments and reduce fall risk. This heightened responsiveness is particularly beneficial in rehabilitation. AI-enabled remote monitoring and cloud integration allow clinicians to track progress and adjust protocols virtually. This technology helps extend rehabilitation and mobility support beyond traditional healthcare settings, thereby unlocking new growth opportunities in the medical exoskeleton market. Emerging Global Medical Exoskeleton Market Trends Increasing geriatric population is expected to uplift demand for medical exoskeletons, as older adults are more susceptible to mobility impairments and musculoskeletal conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis. This demographic shift is increasing the need for effective rehabilitation solutions and mobility assistance technologies. Rising cases of spinal cord injuries is positively impacting sales of medical exoskeletons. As more people suffer from spinal cord injuries, they need assistive and rehabilitative technologies like medical exoskeletons. These technologies play a crucial role in supporting mobility, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes, and improving quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. There is a rapid transition from stationary exoskeletons to mobile ones. Companies are striving to develop mobile medical exoskeletons to meet evolving needs and preferences of end users. Leading companies are also focusing on developing exoskeletons for home care settings. This will likely contribute to the expansion of the global medical exoskeleton industry in the coming years. Get Customization on this Report: Analyst's View said Manisha Vibhute, a senior analyst at CMI. Current Events and Their Impact on the Global Medical Exoskeleton Market Event Description and Impact U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Expands Exoskeleton Coverage Description: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded reimbursement eligibility for powered exoskeletons used in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Impact: This move is expected to open a significant reimbursement pathway, increasing accessibility for U.S. veterans and encouraging wider adoption of exoskeletons in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Breakthroughs in Exoskeleton Technologies Description: In February 2025, Chulalongkorn University introduced its 'Exoskeleton Wheelchair,' a hybrid robotic suit designed to assist elderly individuals and people with mobility challenges in sitting, standing, and walking. Impact: Such technological advancements are likely to accelerate innovation and fuel market growth in the medical exoskeleton industry. European Union's AI Act Implementation Begins Description: The EU started phased enforcement of the AI Act, with medical AI-powered devices classified under strict regulatory scrutiny. Impact: Companies developing AI-integrated exoskeletons must comply with rigorous transparency and safety criteria. Competitor Insights Key companies listed in the global medical exoskeleton market report: BIONIK ReWalk Robotics Ekso Bionics Suit X PARKER HANNIFIN CORP Rex Bionics Ltd B-Temia CYBERDYNE INC. ExoAtlet Wandercraft Key Developments In April 2025, Lifeward Ltd. announced the U.S. launch of the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton for people with spinal cord injuries. The new device, featuring enhanced features, is designed to provide a more functional and personalized walking experience. In February 2025, Wandercraft initiated a new clinical trial for its groundbreaking Personal Exoskeleton at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. It is the world's first self-balancing exoskeleton developed for personal use. In December 2024, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a lightweight wearing robot for paraplegic patients. The new Iron Man Robot, named WalkON Suit F1, can approach paraplegic patients and lock itself onto them, enabling them to walk, climb staircases, and maneuver obstacles. Global Medical Exoskeleton Market Segmentation: By Type Lower Body Exoskeletons Upper Body Exoskeletons Full Body Exoskeletons Others (Soft Exoskeletons, Active Exoskeletons, Passive Exoskeletons) By Mobility Mobile Exoskeletons Stationary Exoskeletons Fixed Exoskeletons By End User Rehabilitation Centers Hospitals Long Term Care Centers Homecare Settings Others (Industrial Sites, Military) By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa Read More Reports: Bionic Prosthetics Market Size, Share & Trend Analysis Report (2025-2032)Exoskeleton Market Size, Share, Trends & Opportunities for 2025 to 2032Military Exoskeleton Market Analysis and Forecast for 2025-2032 Our Trusted Partners:Worldwide Market Reports, Coherent MI, Stratagem Market InsightsGet Recent News: CONTACT: About Us: Coherent Market Insights leads into data and analytics, audience measurement, consumer behaviors, and market trend analysis. From shorter dispatch to in-depth insights, CMI has exceled in offering research, analytics, and consumer-focused shifts for nearly a decade. With cutting-edge syndicated tools and custom-made research services, we empower businesses to move in the direction of growth. We are multifunctional in our work scope and have 450+ seasoned consultants, analysts, and researchers across 26+ industries spread out in 32+ countries. Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States US: + 12524771362 UK: +442039578553 AUS: +61-2-4786-0457 India: +91-848-285-0837 Email: sales@ Website: For Latest Update Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter