PFAS: Water Quality and Novel Pollutants

PFAS—also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or "forever chemicals"—are a group of chemicals widely used in an array of consumer goods, from stain-resistant textiles and firefighting foam to medical devices and food packaging.

A person in full body PPE kneels in a stream to collect water in a test tube

Largely unregulated for the duration of their existence, these chemicals are now known to cause a range of health impacts on living beings, even in small amounts.

a woman drinks from a clear water bottle with the sun behind it

PFAS have been found in municipal drinking water across the U.S. and in the blood of nearly every person on the planet.

a hand holds a magnifying glass to shredded newspaper headlines about contamination floating in water

PFAS pose a particularly complex set of interrelated governance puzzles: they are a huge and ever-evolving class of several thousand chemicals, ubiquitous in their use, with multiple pathways of human exposure such as through drinking water.

a sewage pipe draining into a collection area

PFAS are highly persistent and bio accumulative. While evidence suggests we have all been exposed, PFAS exposure is exacerbated in vulnerable communities that face a suite of contamination threats.

But as our knowledge of PFAS science rapidly improves, how is the policy landscape adapting?

Udall Center researchers pose for a group selfie outside of the Tucson Water building.

Udall Center researchers lead the PFAS Governance research group at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

This group is focused on understanding the unique challenges that arise in governing this complex and widespread class of chemicals in our water systems, including themes of fragmented authority, unequal impacts, and political polarization.

The group also seeks to identify potential pathways forward in improving PFAS governance and policy, exploring opportunities for leadership and collaboration from the local to the international level.

Presentations

“Forever Chemicals and Wastewater Challenges in the United States: A Look at Tucson, Arizona.” Facing the Next Generation of Urban Wastewater Treatment: Policy Approaches from the USA, Chile and Spain. Presentation for the International Rosenberg Water Forum, Madrid, Spain, January 29, 2025 (co-authored with Adrienne Brown, Gemma Smith, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, Gina Gilson, and Alison Elder; presented by Andrea K. Gerlak)

“Remediation of drinking water contamination: Coordinating an institutional response to federal regulations to ‘forever chemicals’ in Tucson, Arizona.” Presented at the International Symposium of the Laboratoired'Excellence (Laboratory of Excellence, Labex) Dispositif de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Interactions Hommes-Milieux (Interdisciplinary Research Device on Human-Environment Interactions, DRIIHM) titled “The 4Rs ‘Restoration, Renaturation, Remediation, Rewilding’ of socio-ecosystems: who decides, who speaks and for what objectives?” Pole numérique Brest Iroise Campus Plouzané. Brest, France (June 2025) (Co-authored with Adrienne Brown, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, Andrea K. Gerlak, Gina Gilson, Gemma Smith, and Alison Elder; presented by Adriana Zuniga-Teran)

“We can’t wait forever: state responses to “forever chemicals” in the US.” Presented at the Western Political Science Association in Seattle, Washington, April 2025 (co-authored with Gina Gilson, Adrienne Brown, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, and Andrea K. Gerlak; presented by Gemma Smith)

“Beyond regulation: understanding responses to PFAS contamination under environmental federalism.” Presented at the School of Geography, Development, and Environment in Tucson, Arizona, December 2024 (co-authored with Gina Gilson, Adrienne Brown, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, and Andrea K. Gerlak; presented by Gemma Smith)

“Sustainability in Governance and Policy: Through the Lens of PFAS Chemicals.” Presented to The Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) Students for Sustainability in Tucson, Arizona, December 2024 (co-authored with Gina Gilson, Adrienne Brown, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, and Andrea K. Gerlak; presented by Gemma Smith)

People

Gemma Smith

Assistant Research Professor, Udall Center

Assistant Professor, School of Government and Public Policy

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Andrea K. Gerlak

Director and Research Professor, Udall Center

Professor, School of Geography, Development and Environment

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Adriana Zuniga-Teran

Associate Research Professor, Udall Center

Associate Professor, School of Geography, Development and Environment

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Tiziano Manuel Casado Manco

U of A Undergraduate Intern, Peru Micro-campus

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PFAS: Water Quality and Novel Pollutants