What Are PFOA and PFOS?
PFOA and PFOS are man-made compounds belonging to a larger group of chemicals called PFAS, short for polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFOA is short for perfluorooctanoic acid; PFOS stands for perfluorooctane sulfonate. Both are prized in manufacturing for their water, oil, and stain resistance. PFOS coats products like rain gear and non-stick pans; PFOA is a key ingredient in Teflon, fast-food wrappers, and takeout containers. Neither breaks down naturally, so once released, they persist in the environment for decades.
A Brief History of PFOA and PFOS
The 3M Company manufactured PFOA and PFOS for a century, from 1902 to 2002. Following concerns raised by the EPA, 3M began phasing out production in 2002. Under the PFOA Stewardship Program, the EPA worked with eight other major manufacturers to phase out PFOA production entirely by 2015.
The EPA's formal position on these chemicals has stated:
"PFOA and PFOS are extremely persistent in the environment and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes. They are widely distributed across the higher trophic levels and are found in soil, air, and groundwater at sites across the United States. The toxicity, mobility and bioaccumulation potential of PFOS and PFOA pose potential adverse effects for the environment and human health."
How Are We Exposed to These Contaminants?
The most common route of exposure is drinking contaminated water. PFOS and PFOA reach the environment through industrial wastewater and commonly show up in groundwater. From there they can seep into agricultural soil and the food supply, and into surface water that feeds drinking water sources, including private wells.
How Does Exposure Affect Our Health?
According to the CDC, exposure to PFOA and PFOS has been linked to:
- Developmental effects in fetuses and breastfed infants, including low birth weight and skeletal variations
- Testicular and kidney cancer
- Liver damage
- Immune effects, including reduced antibody response
- Thyroid and cholesterol changes
Finding safer alternatives hasn't gone smoothly, either. GenX and PFBS were proposed as replacements for PFOA and PFOS, but an EPA study found both to carry similar risks to the kidneys, blood, immune system, liver, and physical development, along with carcinogenic potential.
A Real-World Example: Flint, Michigan
The Flint water crisis, which unfolded from 2013 to 2016, remains one of the starkest examples of what happens when PFAS and other contaminants go unchecked. At its peak, drinking water in Flint contained 1,309 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFOA and 410 ppt of PFOS. For comparison, California set its own regulatory limits at 6.5 ppt for PFOS and 5.1 ppt for PFOA in 2019, a fraction of what Flint residents were exposed to.
Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has reported that more than 1.5 million residents statewide have had PFAS-contaminated drinking water, with as many as 11,300 potential contamination sites identified.
How Do Water Filters Reduce PFOA and PFOS?
Filtering your water is one of the most practical ways to reduce PFOA and PFOS exposure while also improving taste. ZeroWater's 5-Stage Ion Exchange Filter is NSF certified to reduce lead, chromium, and PFOA/PFOS, and it removes up to 99.6% of Total Dissolved Solids.
Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, are the organic and inorganic compounds that affect the taste, odor, and appearance of water. They enter your water supply from sources like aging pipes, road salt runoff, pesticides, and fertilizers. Every 5-stage pitcher and dispenser ships with a TDS meter so you can measure your own water directly.
PFOA and PFOS exposure continues to be a growing concern as these chemicals turn up more frequently in public and private water supplies. Filtration is one of the most direct steps you can take to reduce your exposure and keep your family's drinking water cleaner.
