This ranking identifies U.S. ZIP codes with the highest PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination risk. Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS are linked to cancer, immune disorders, and reproductive harm. Many communities have never been tested.
35,172 ZIP codes analyzed · Worst score: detected
25 Worst ZIP Codes
| # | ZIP Code | City | State | PFAS Status | Regulation | Fed. Exceedances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10917 | Central Valley | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 2 | 10930 | Highland Mills | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 3 | 11554 | East Meadow | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 4 | 11714 | Bethpage | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 5 | 11740 | Greenlawn | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 6 | 11747 | Melville | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 7 | 11756 | Levittown | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 8 | 11771 | Oyster Bay | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 9 | 11791 | Syosset | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 10 | 11801 | Hicksville | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 11 | 11803 | Plainview | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 12 | 11804 | Old Bethpage | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 13 | 11946 | Hampton Bays | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 14 | 11973 | Upton | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 15 | 12065 | Clifton Park | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 16 | 12143 | Ravena | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 17 | 12148 | Rexford | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 18 | 12188 | Waterford | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 19 | 12451 | Leeds | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 20 | 12518 | Cornwall | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 21 | 12520 | Cornwall On Hudson | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 22 | 12549 | Montgomery | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 23 | 12553 | New Windsor | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 24 | 12590 | Wappingers Falls | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 25 | 12828 | Fort Edward | NY | detected | state regulated | 0 |
25 Best ZIP Codes
| # | ZIP Code | City | State | PFAS Status | Regulation | Fed. Exceedances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 08601 | Trenton | NJ | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 2 | 07826 | Branchville | NJ | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 3 | 07715 | Belmar | NJ | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 4 | 07101 | Newark | NJ | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 5 | 06812 | New Fairfield | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 6 | 06790 | Torrington | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 7 | 06783 | Roxbury | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 8 | 06782 | Plymouth | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 9 | 06763 | Morris | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 10 | 06759 | Litchfield | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 11 | 06757 | Kent | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 12 | 06756 | Goshen | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 13 | 06753 | Cornwall | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 14 | 06752 | Bridgewater | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 15 | 06751 | Bethlehem | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 16 | 06750 | Bantam | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 17 | 06701 | Waterbury | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 18 | 06481 | Rockfall | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 19 | 06469 | Moodus | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 20 | 06447 | Marlborough | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 21 | 06438 | Haddam | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 22 | 06426 | Essex | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 23 | 06424 | East Hampton | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 24 | 06423 | East Haddam | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
| 25 | 06420 | Salem | CT | not_detected | state regulated | 0 |
Rankings by State
| State | ZIP Codes |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,657 |
| California | 2,654 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,213 |
| New York | 2,208 |
| Illinois | 1,590 |
| Florida | 1,494 |
| Ohio | 1,447 |
| Virginia | 1,241 |
| Michigan | 1,170 |
| North Carolina | 1,091 |
| Minnesota | 1,031 |
| Indiana | 988 |
| Georgia | 973 |
| Kentucky | 966 |
| Wisconsin | 898 |
| West Virginia | 857 |
| Alabama | 839 |
| Tennessee | 796 |
| Washington | 733 |
| New Jersey | 732 |
| Massachusetts | 703 |
| Colorado | 662 |
| Maryland | 622 |
| Arizona | 568 |
| South Carolina | 540 |
Methodology
PFAS contamination rankings combine EPA UCMR5 testing results, state-level PFAS regulations, and detection/exceedance status. ZIP codes where PFAS has been detected or exceeded federal MCLs rank highest. Untested areas receive moderate risk scores due to unknown exposure. Data sources: EPA UCMR5, state environmental agencies, EWG PFAS contamination database.
Last updated: 2026-06-09.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings are based on federal agency data including EPA, FEMA, USGS, and PHMSA. Each ZIP code receives a score based on the specific risk factors for this category. See the methodology section above for details.
How often are rankings updated?
Rankings are regenerated quarterly using the latest available data. The date shown reflects the most recent update.
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