You probably know your tap water isn't perfectly pure. You may even know about contaminants like lead. But tap water can also carry a group of man-made chemicals called PFAS, better known as forever chemicals.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products since the 1950s. They're called "forever chemicals" because the carbon-fluorine bond holding them together is one of the strongest in chemistry, so they don't break down in the environment. That makes them some of the most persistent common contaminants in drinking water.
The EPA notes there are thousands of individual PFAS chemicals, found in everything from cookware to carpeting. Two of the most studied are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate).
Where Do PFAS Come From?
PFAS are used in a wide range of everyday products: non-stick cookware, stain-resistant paint and carpet, cleaning products, firefighting foam, medical devices, and even some cosmetics and contact lenses.
How Do PFAS Get Into Our Water?
Products containing PFAS, including firefighting foam, paint, and cleaning products, can seep into the ground or wash down household drains. From there, they make their way into groundwater and municipal water supplies.
A joint study from the EPA, USGS, and other researchers sampled hundreds of tap water sources nationwide and found at least one PFAS in roughly 30% of samples, with detection rates and concentrations broadly similar between private wells and public water supplies.
What Do PFAS Do to Your Body?
The CDC has reported on health effects linked to PFAS exposure, including:
- Increased cholesterol
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Liver damage
- Thyroid disease
Research has also linked prenatal PFAS exposure to increased miscarriage risk, lower birth weight, and reduced vaccine response in infants.
You can meaningfully lower your exposure to these risks by filtering your water.
How to Find Out if There Are PFAS in Your Water
- Test it yourself: Standard at-home water test kits can't detect PFAS in your water. Confirming PFAS levels requires a laboratory test.
- Check your Consumer Confidence Report: Public water utilities are required to publish an annual water quality report. The EPA's Consumer Confidence Report tool can help you find yours and see what's been detected in your local supply.
Whether or not you've tested your water, using a filter built to reduce PFAS is a reasonable precaution.
How to Avoid PFAS
PFAS show up in a lot of everyday items, so reducing your exposure means making some changes: swapping non-stick cookware for ceramic or stainless steel, choosing cosmetics that specify they're PFAS-free, and switching to natural cleaning products like baking soda, white vinegar, and castile soap.
Many manufacturers and retailers have adopted "no PFAS" policies. EWG's list tracks brands across clothing, furniture, textiles, and baby products that have made this commitment.
And, as covered above, filtering your drinking water reduces your exposure to PFAS you can't otherwise avoid.
How to Reduce PFAS in Water
PFAS can't be broken down or destroyed once they're in water, but the right filter can reduce them significantly. ZeroWater's 5-stage filters are IAPMO certified to reduce 99.8% of PFOA and PFOS, along with lead and chromium, and remove up to 99.6% of Total Dissolved Solids. Get your water from ZeroWater pitchers or dispensers, or explore how ZeroWater's filtration technology works.
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Sources:
"Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)" - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc
"PFAS Explained" - United States Environmental Protection Agency - https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
"Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tap water" - Science Direct - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023003069
"PFAS Health Effects" - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC - https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/about/health-effects.html
"Consumer Confidence Reports" - United States Environmental Protection Agency - https://www.epa.gov/ccr
