Please check back in a few months for updates!

The instructions included in your test kit detail step-by-step how to take the samples. Please also join our live webinar trainings. Register here.

You may quit the study anytime. If you decide you no longer want to participate in the study, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know. We will remove all information given by you or related to your samples from our study records. To contact us, you may visit our contact page to send us a message or leave a voicemail and contact information at +1-855-997-3184.

We will host a webinar meeting with participants to discuss results. Keep an eye on your email for the invitation.

We are happy to talk with you about your results. To contact us, visit our contact page to send us a message or leave a voicemail with your question and contact information at +1-855-997-3184. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

You can also consider talking with officials in your local health department or your physician.

Your results are confidential. They are only accessible to you and members of our research team at Indiana University and RTI International. Your results will be de-identified for use meaning that no one outside of our research teams will be able to link your concentration results to your address or contact information.

You may elect to share your results (i.e., your geographic well information and the concentrations of PFAS) with relevant public health agencies, but it is not required to participate in our study. We encourage you to consider doing so, as this information will help guide public health decisions in your area in the future.

International Bottled Water Association (sum of PFAS):
BOTTLED WATER & PFAS – Bottled Water | IBWA | Bottled Water

European Union (sum of PFAS):
Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) – ECHA (europa.eu)

U.S. EPA Health Advisory Levels for PFOA and PFAS (updated, interim) and HFPO-DA and PFBS (final):
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs#q1

U.S. EPA Drinking water regulations in process for PFOA, PFAS:
https://www.epa.gov/ccl/regulatory-determination-4

Washington State Action Levels (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS):
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Contaminants/PFAS#StateActionLevels

Minnesota Health-Based Values (PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA):
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfcs.html#safelevels

North Carolina provisional drinking water health goal (HFPO-DA) and Interim Maximum Allowable Concentration (PFOA):
https://testyourwell.nc.gov/oee/a_z/genx.html

Indiana information on PFAS:
https://www.in.gov/idem/resources/nonrule-policies/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas/

We expect to share results between now and the next few months. Our lab is using the most up-to-date methods available to extract, analyze, and report the sample results. Thanks for your patience while we finalize them to share with you.

Water testing results from this study will help us to create computer models that predict where well water is most likely to contain PFAS in the United States. This will help people like you in other communities in the future.

The Forever Chemicals in Well Water program is funded by a grant from the US Environmental Protect Agency (EPA). The program is a collaboration between Indiana University, RTI International, and local partners in each of the study counties. You can read about the grant details at the US EPA website here

The Forever Chemicals in Well Water program is a free program that provides in-home test kits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), shipping, and results at no cost to participants. Please note that we are limited in the number of participants we are able to select to receive free test kits. In the event that we exceed the number of free test kits we can provide, some people who are not selected to receive a free test kit will receive the option to pay at-cost for a test kit out-of-pocket using a credit card via PayPal.

The Forever Chemicals in Well Water program is a collaboration between researchers from Indiana University and RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina. We have partnered with local organizations in each of the study counties as well.

Read our instructions thoroughly before you sample. The instructions included with your test kit will outline everything you need to do to prepare to sample.

You’ll need to put the ice packs in the freezer for at least two nights before shipping the samples back to us. Plan to sample first thing in the morning. And keep your samples refrigerated until it’s time to ship them.

We will provide optional online live webinar trainings, where we talk to participants about what will be in their test kits and tell them how to use them. You do not have to attend one of these to receive your test kit, but we recommend joining if you can.

Mistakes happen! Please write on the chain-of-custody form anything you did that was different from the instructions. You can also contact us to let us know, so we can help make any adjustments. To contact us, visit our contact page to send us a message or leave a voicemail and contact information at +1-855-997-3184.

You can use your water normally, prior to sampling. The instructions will ask you to also run the water for 4 minutes, immediately before sampling, just from the faucet where you will take the sample.

You must use a tap that is not filtered. We encourage you to use the tap that you use most often for drinking or cooking, like your kitchen tap. If your kitchen faucet is filtered, however, any tap in your home that does not have a filter is okay to use.

If you have a whole-house filter, take your sample from the well head or an outdoor spigot, and make a note on the chain-of-custody document to let us know.

Step 1: Make sure the ice packs are fully frozen (have been in the freezer at least two nights). Place the ice packs in the box.

Step 2: Repack the Test Kit Box - You will re-use the shipping box and two zipper bags that your test kit came in. Put the filled sample bottles back in the larger bag. Check to make sure each sample bottle is closed tightly first. Zip the bag; if the bag is not full, fold it over to zip it up. Seal it well. Place the bag in the box. Arrange the ice packs around the sample bottles. Put the chain of custody document and the signed informed consent form in the smaller bag and seal it, so they don’t get wet. Place this bag in the box as well.

Step 3: Apply the Return Mailing Label - Place the provided return UPS mailing label on the box, over the label from shipping the box to you. Close the box using strong shipping tape to thoroughly reseal the top flap before shipping.

Step 4: Schedule a UPS Pickup - There's no charge for you to ship these samples to the lab. The return mailing label is prepaid. Schedule a pickup at UPS.com and follow their instruction OR Call UPS at 1-800-742-5877 after 7am. If you schedule before 10am, UPS will come the same day. You need to give UPS your phone number and the tracking number from the shipping label (see circled area at right). Write down the confirmation number.

Step 5: Take the Box Outside for Pickup - Place the box outside of your home where you typically leave packages for UPS pickup or receive them from mail carriers. A location in the shade is ideal.

Please contact us if your test kit is broken or lost. To contact us, visit our contact page to send us a message or leave a voicemail and contact information at +1-855-997-3184.