Ai models estimate that tens of millions of Americans are suspected of drinking contaminated groundwater

According to a new study using AI models published in the journal Science, harmful "permanent chemicals" widely used in the United States have contaminated a large number of drinking water underground sources, which may affect 71 million to 95 million people.

The so-called "permanent chemicals" mainly refer to perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can persist in the environment for decades and are often linked to cancer, liver and heart damage, and immune and developmental problems in infants and young children, Xinhua reported.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency has developed new monitoring requirements to address PFAS in large public water systems, most small water systems and domestic Wells are not covered by the agency.

The study, led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), trained an AI model using a "limiting gradient lift algorithm" to analyze multiple types of groundwater samples collected from 2019 to 2022 to predict the distribution of PFAS in U.S. groundwater.

The results show that between 71 and 95 million people in the continental United States may be drinking groundwater with detectable concentrations of PFAS.

The researchers noted that groundwater pollution is common in the United States, especially in areas with large urban areas, dense population and shallow Wells. However, the cost of removing PFAS from groundwater is high, and many domestic well users do not test or treat groundwater, which poses a drinking water safety risk.