What Are PFAS and How Can We Safely Remove Them from Drinking Water?

Health officials have been raising alarms over the last several years about a toxic synthetic chemical labeled as PFAS . It is a dangerous chemical found in everything from our food to our drinking water. If a person consumes just a small amount of PFAS from their food or water, it has the potential to cause immunodeficiency problems, reproductive issues, liver damage, and even cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has claimed that PFAS can be found in the blood of almost 99% of all the people in the United States. The Environmental Working Group also released data showing that more than 20% of all Americans are likely consuming PFAS in their regular drinking water. If this is true, it means that up to 95 million Americans are inadvertently consuming PFAS from drinking their ordinary water.

These startling statistics demonstrate the critical importance of producing clean drinking water that is safe for Americans to consume. There are already numerous reports of PFAS-based contamination in the groundwater sources of multiple states like Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina. More awareness must be raised about PFAS contaminants in drinking water so that a greater effort is made to eliminate these contaminants before too many people become exposed to them.

PFAS or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of artificial chemicals used extensively in producing different consumer and industrial products. Since the 1940s, manufacturers have leveraged the grease and water-resistant properties of these chemicals in the production of non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, food packaging, and more.

PFAS are also popular for their capability to last long in the environment. They are not broken down by natural processes, which explains why they are called “ forever chemicals .” Their longevity also means they can persist in water, soil, and even the bodies of humans and animals for years. The increasing persistence and application of PFAS also come with the risk of possible adverse effects on the environment and human health.

Here are the meanings of these acronyms

• PFAS – Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
• PFOA – Perfluorooctanoic Acid
• PFOS – Perfluorooctane Sulfonate

PFOA is a synthetic chemical used to make numerous food packaging and non-stick cookware products because of its resistance to grease and stains. Unfortunately, it can pose serious health risks to people, such as immunodeficiency problems, liver damage, and cancer.

PFOS is another synthetic chemical that companies use to make certain types of products, such as stain repellants and firefighting foams because it is resistant to stains and grease. Sadly, too much exposure to PFOS can potentially increase the risk of someone suffering reproductive or developmental health conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently formed the very first PFAS standard for drinking water . It is a firm standard that restricts the number of PFAS concentrations allowed in public water systems to help prevent too many people from getting sick or ill. Public water utility companies are required to monitor the levels of PFAS in their water to ensure they stay compliant with the standard.

If the PFAS levels are still too high in their water, the utility companies must treat their water within the next five years to lower the PFAS levels. They can use sophisticated water filtration technologies such as reverse osmosis filtration systems to achieve this objective.

Frequent consumption or exposure to PFAS will cause the chemicals to build up in your body gradually because they break down in the body slowly. However, at some point, the PFAS chemicals could cause you to develop unwanted health problems, such as cancer.

It can take decades of PFAS exposure before you experience any adverse health effects. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are continuously researching and studying PFAS chemicals to learn more about their long-term health effects on people.

Studies have shown that PFAS chemicals interfere with the smooth operation of the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormonal regulation in the human body. The disruption in operation can cause hormonal imbalances, thus adversely impacting essential bodily functions like growth and metabolism.

Exposing the body to PFAS contaminated water for a long time often puts organs in the body at varying degrees of risk. Organs usually affected include the liver, thyroid, and the overall immune system. The exposure is also a common precursor to certain cancers, including testicular and kidney cancers.

The immune system gets weak due to prolonged exposure to PFAS contaminated water. The accumulation reduces the natural ability of the body to fight diseases and infections, putting such individuals at a greater risk of illnesses.

Exposing a pregnant woman to PFAS can affect fetal development adversely, with particular impacts on the development of the immune system, developmental milestones, and birth weight. In addition, exposure to PFAS can also alter reproductive health negatively, translating to hormonal regulation and fertility problems.

Considering the possible health risks involved with exposure to PFAS contaminated water, homeowners must strive to put measures in place to protect their drinking water and, in turn, their families. These include testing and monitoring water regularly and adopting suitable water filtration systems.

PFAS is difficult to eliminate in drinking water because it is an extremely resilient chemical and does not degrade easily. Because of this, traditional water filtration and treatment techniques are not very effective in eliminating PFAS. That is why some more advanced water treatment technologies are being used to target PFAS and remove it from people’s drinking water. The most popular water treatment technology for achieving this objective is the Reverse Osmosis water filtration system .

A reverse osmosis water filter contains a semi-permeable membrane that can filter out PFAS and other common contaminants in drinking water. Multiple research studies have shown that it has the potential to eliminate up to 99% of the PFAS chemicals found in people’s drinking water. Of course, the specific type of reverse osmosis system and the amount of routine maintenance performed are contributing factors in how much PFAS gets removed.

Alternatively, you could try other water treatment methods to remove PFAS, such as ion-exchange resins and activated carbon filters . Just keep in mind that you’ll have to replace these filters on a regular basis to ensure they stay effective at removing PFAS.

Many people believe that boiling water can destroy the PFAS chemicals in it. Unfortunately, there is no truth to this assumption. When you boil water, it actually causes the PFAS to become more concentrated. That means even when the water evaporates, the PFAS will still be present.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health , you can boil water to eliminate biological contaminants in your drinking water, but it won’t do anything to remove PFAS chemicals from the water. That is all the more reason to use advanced filtration methods like reverse osmosis to reduce or remove PFAS from your water.

An effective way of ensuring that your drinking water does not contain harmful contaminants is to filter it directly from the source. Waterdrop reverse osmosis water filter can ensure your water is filtered and the PFAS reduced before consumption.

PFOA and PFOS are two of the PFAS substances which are relatively more widely used compared to others. The public has a higher level of concern regarding these two chemicals, and testing primarily focuses on PFOA and PFOS. You can click here to check the full report .

There are three models included in the X Series tankless RO systems: X8, X12, and X16. Each one has its own features. In general, X12 is a great option for households consisting of three to six people. This under sink reverse osmosis system perfectly satisfies a medium-sized family’s daily water needs by ensuring that your home always has a supply of pure and safe drinking water.

If you have a big family, Waterdrop’s G3P800 under-sink RO system could be your best choice. It is an impressive unit boasting a remarkable daily capacity of 800 gallons. This high-performance system holds several prestigious certifications, such as NSF/ANSI Standard 58, ensuring effective TDS reduction, and NSF 372 certification, guaranteeing the use of lead-free materials.

The Waterdrop K6 offers advanced multistage filtration with a 5-in-1 efficient filter unit, ensuring the reduction of various contaminants. Its user-friendly smart display faucet provides real-time information, while the step-less temperature change feature allows for filtered hot water on demand (104℉ to 203℉). With best-in-class safety measures, including internal water purification monitoring, Child Lock, and overheating protection, the K6 guarantees purified and safe hot water for various uses.

According to research from PFAS Central and The Guardian, reverse osmosis is among the most effective home treatments available for reducing PFAS levels in drinking water, making it a valuable tool for those looking to protect their health.

PFAS is everywhere in our environment. Unless you live under a rock, you will have trouble avoiding it. The best thing you can do is take steps to avoid exposing yourself to it as much as possible.

Here are some of the ways that you can lower your exposure to PFAS:

• Run your drinking water through a reverse osmosis filter to reduce its PFAS levels. Look for the “PFAS-free” label on all fabrics, cookware, and food packaging that you buy or handle.
• Look for the “PFAS-free” label on all fabrics, cookware, and food packaging that you buy or handle.
• Don’t use any products that claim to have “water-resistant” or “stain-resistant” properties because they likely have PFAS in them. Instead, try some alternative products that don’t claim to have resistance to water or stains.
• Regularly review the latest official government reports on environmental health and water quality in the United States and your local area. These reports will allow you to make more informed decisions regarding whether you should filter your local water supply before drinking it.

President Joe Biden and his administration previously passed a landmark infrastructure law that made about $9 billion in investments to help communities reduce the PFAS contamination in their drinking water supplies. It is one of the most significant government efforts to help American communities reduce their exposure to PFAS and avoid the severe health consequences associated with it.

The widespread contamination of these harmful substances is a pressing concern that demands immediate attention. Understanding the impact of PFAS and the significance of consuming clean water is crucial for safeguarding your health. By being aware of PFAS impact and taking proactive measures to invest in the right water filtration system, you can minimize exposure risks and protect your family from the so-called “forever chemicals”.