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PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—also referred to as “forever chemicals”—include a group of more than 14,000 synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. Developed to help resist water, oil, grease, and heat, these chemicals are used in products like nonstick cookware, food packaging, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpet and furniture, wall paint, electronics, cleaning products, candy wrappers, sticky notes, cell phones, and firefighting foam.
The problem with PFAS is that they do not break down in the environment or our bodies, leading to potential health risks. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high concentrations of some PFAS may lead to adverse health risks in people, such as kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, damage to the liver and immune system, high blood pressure in pregnant women, infertility in women, low birthweight or developmental delays in children, and accelerated puberty.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected PFAS in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. Concerns led to the EPA finalizing the first-ever standards for several PFAS in drinking water in April 2024. Keep reading to learn how to detect and reduce PFAS in your home’s drinking water.
Drinking water is the most common source of PFAS.
While you can be exposed to PFAS in a number of ways, such as eating food packaged in material containing PFAS, touching products containing PFAS, and breathing in dust tainted with PFAS from stain- and water-repellents on home products, drinking contaminated municipal water or private well water is the most common way. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of the country’s tap water has been contaminated by one or more of the 32 individual PFAS that the agency tested. About 200 million Americans could currently be drinking contaminated water.
What can be done? Solutions range from municipal-level water treatment to under-the-sink home treatment systems. While most Americans wait for the EPA regulations to go into effect mandating that municipalities address PFAS, the best option is to add an effective filtration system to your home, which many people are willing to do, according to a new study.
Determine whether PFAS are in your water.
The first step in ensuring that you aren’t being exposed to PFAS through your drinking water is to find out if such chemicals are prevalent. Some public water systems already have test results available, so contact your local water authority and inquire about PFAS. Your state environmental protection agency or health department may also have information about PFAS in your drinking water.
You can also search EPA’s database of PFAS water system test results or EPA’s map-based PFAS Analytic Tools to see if your water system has been tested as part of EPA’s monitoring program. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization specializing in toxic chemicals and drinking water pollutants, also has an interactive map showing drinking water and groundwater of nearly 2,800 communities contaminated by PFAS chemicals. Finally, you can also have your home’s water tested by an EPA-certified lab.
Install a water purification system to filter out PFAS.
Want to know how to remove PFAS from water? Within 5 years, all municipalities will be required to filter out PFAS to comply with EPA’s new regulations. Until then, you can take action by installing an in-home water filtration system. There are many different types of filtration options available, ranging from $20 to $1,000 or more. Pitcher filters, those installed on faucets, those installed under sinks, and filters installed for the entire home are all possible options, as long as they are certified to remove PFAS.
Three types of filters are currently available that may be effective at reducing PFAS:
- Charcoal (granular activated carbon, or GAC): These filters use a carbon material to absorb and trap chemicals as water passes through them.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) systems: Reverse osmosis is a process that uses energy to force water through an extremely thin semi-permeable membrane that separates chemicals from the water.
- Ion exchange resins: Resins are tiny beads that act like powerful magnets to attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system.
While any of these technologies can help filter PFAS, studies show that reverse osmosis is the most effective option. An under-the-sink reverse osmosis system costs about $200 to $300, plus an additional $200 to $300 a year to maintain. There also are whole-house reverse osmosis versions, which can cost thousands of dollars and require a plumber to install them.
Make sure the purification system is certified to remove PFAS.
When purchasing a home water treatment system to address PFAS, it’s critical to check that the product is certified to filter these specific types of chemicals. The certification should be performed by an accredited independent entity. Look for a certification label on the product’s packaging that states “NSF/ANSI 53” (for filters) or “NSF/ANSI 58” (for reverse osmosis). According to the EPA, there are five American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited third-party certification bodies that evaluate drinking water filters for PFAS reduction: CSA Group, IAPMO R&T, Inc., NSF, UL, and WQA.
Don’t forget to change the filter.
No matter which water filtration system you choose for your home, proper maintenance is critical to ensure that you remain safe from PFAS exposure from your drinking water. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how often to replace the filter. If you don’t change it often enough, it can become saturated, and will no longer effectively filter the chemicals.