Thursday May 28, 2026
SFGATE —
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” were frequently found in surface water and sediment in 10 counties across California, according to a new study.
The analysis from the Environmental Working Group showed that as much as 50% of California surface water samples contained PFAS, stemming from their use in agricultural pesticides. Since they don’t break down easily and given that long-term exposure has been linked to cancer and other health issues, PFAS (formally known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely known by their “forever chemicals” nickname.
Using data from California’s Surface Water Database from 2020 to 2024, samples were taken from waterways across several counties, including Butte, Colusa, Imperial, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Sutter and Yolo. Each study found some level of contamination near agricultural areas, with some at higher concentrations than others.