According to a recent survey conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts, a large majority of Americans — particularly New Yorkers — are worried about the presence of harmful chemicals in their food and drinking water.
More than 70% of New Yorkers reported being either very or somewhat concerned about exposure to potentially dangerous substances in what they eat and drink. Survey participants expressed a strong desire for greater accountability, saying both government agencies and private companies should take stronger action to improve chemical safety and transparency.
The findings show overwhelming public support for stricter oversight. Eighty-six percent of respondents said the government needs to do more to identify and regulate hazardous chemicals commonly found in everyday products.
The same percentage — 86% — stated that chemical manufacturers cannot be relied upon to guarantee product safety without government supervision. Additionally, 84% of those surveyed want companies to provide clearer and more detailed information about the chemicals used in their products. Meanwhile, 72% believe that polluters should bear primary responsibility for funding the cleanup of contamination caused by harmful substances.
Although food and drinking water top the list of concerns nationwide, respondents also voiced significant worry about contamination affecting baby products, agricultural land, and the broader food supply.
Particular attention has been focused on so-called “forever chemicals,” known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds are numerous, highly persistent, and capable of spreading easily throughout the environment.
Jennifer McPartland, director of the Safer Chemicals Project at The Pew Charitable Trusts, explained that while thousands of PFAS compounds exist, only a portion has been extensively studied. However, research on those examined has linked them to a range of serious health issues, including immune system damage, cancer, and reproductive harm.
Support for stronger government involvement cuts across party lines. The survey found that 89% of liberals and 77% of conservatives agree more action is needed on chemical safety. McPartland noted that concerns about health tend to transcend political divisions, emphasizing that health impacts are personal, family-oriented, and community-wide — making chemical safety a fundamentally nonpartisan issue.
Government bodies have taken steps to address the issue. Since 2009, more than 2,000 bills related to endocrine-disrupting chemicals — a category that includes PFAS — have been introduced across the United States. Over 300 of these measures have been enacted with bipartisan backing.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established enforceable national drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals. However, in 2025 the agency revised its approach, announcing plans to update those standards and delay implementation for all but two chemicals: PFOA, commonly used in non-stick and stain-resistant products, and PFOS, historically found in Scotchgard and similar repellents.
Additional measures have targeted other potential sources of exposure, including the removal of BPA from baby bottles and restrictions on certain flame retardants used in mattresses.
Legislative activity has occurred nationwide, with all 50 states introducing some form of legislation aimed at restricting, banning, or cleaning up endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
New York, in particular, has been active on this front. Erin Fleck, public policy project director for the Safer Chemicals Project, noted that the state has passed laws limiting flame retardants, banning PFAS in food packaging, and most recently restricting a broad range of chemicals — including PFAS and other endocrine disruptors — in menstrual products.
Despite these efforts, experts agree that much more needs to be done. McPartland emphasized that the scale and longevity of the contamination problem require equally substantial intervention. Given the duration and extent of exposure, she argued that meaningful reductions in health risks will demand comprehensive and sustained action.