What are PFAS or “Forever Chemicals”?
You may not recognize the name PFAS, short for poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, but you likely have come into contact with it regularly, maybe multiple times a day. You might even consume it. Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” they are appearing just about everywhere, including in our water supply.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also called PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are man-made materials that can potentially last thousands of years before breaking down. Used in a variety of consumer products and industrial processes since the 1950s, PFAS substances are now recognized for their possible harmful health effects. They’re being phased out of items like food packaging and grease-proofing agents. However, because of their longevity, they are still present in air, soil, water and even human bodies across the globe.
What does that mean for your health? While scientists have a lot more work to do to understand the full effects of PFAS pollution, your biggest responsibility is to identify and avoid exposure wherever you can. That means learning about possible PFAS levels in your tap water.
PFAS Chemicals in Water: What You Need To Know
There’s a lot to know about PFAS, especially in drinking water. Although these are pretty serious topics, this kind of research isn’t intended to scare you; instead, it should help you make informed decisions and take control of your water quality, health and more.
Can You See, Smell or Taste PFAS Chemicals?
Unlike some other chemicals, PFAS are essentially invisible to human senses. That means there won’t be any hints that it may be in your drinking water, food or body. This is part of what makes forever chemicals so difficult to identify, study and address.
Where Do PFAS Come From?
PFAS are found in many of our everyday items including nonstick cookware, food packaging, cosmetics, shampoos, cleaning products and even our water.
How Can You Get Exposed To PFAS?
PFAS chemicals move through the environment and touch almost everything. For example, when consumer products made with PFAS go to landfills, the chemicals can end up in the soil and eventually both ground and surface water. That means living things everywhere, including the plants and animals that make up so much of the modern diet are repeatedly exposed to these potentially toxic chemicals. Simply put, PFAS exposure has countless everyday sources including eating plants grown with contaminated soil or water, eating anything from certain kinds of packaging, touching PFAS-treated surfaces (like carpets) and then touching your mouth and drinking from any contaminated water system, including municipal and well water
What are the Potential Impacts On Your Health?
PFAS chemicals can stay in the human body for years and can build up over time. While more research is needed to identify specific health effects and related levels of PFAS exposure, currently, the primary concern is around increased risks for various types of cancer and fertility issues.
PFAS Concerns in Tap Water
PFAS in the soil end up in both groundwater (like aquifers) and surface water (like lakes and rivers) which eventually make their way to your tap water. Even bottled water may contain PFAS. That’s because many bottling companies draw their water from the same sources as the public water system.
It’s important to note that governments are working on regulations to protect your drinking water. In a test of 44 different taps in 31 states, the EWG found that 43 exceeded a limit they deem safe by their own standards. “I think it’s one of the biggest threats in drinking water that people don’t have a complete understanding of, and it’s been around for decades,” says David Andrews, a senior scientist at the EWG who was involved with the report. Although new regulations are in the works, there is still much to be done. That means you need to know what your options are in the meantime.
Are There PFAS Chemicals in Your Water?
Because you can’t see, smell or taste PFAS chemicals, you’ll need to test your water to determine if any of these substances may be present.
A good first step to take is to check your local water report which is required to publish water testing results annually. If you don’t see PFAS referenced among what is tested in your report, you can get your water tested on your own. If you have private well water, you’re fully responsible for testing your own water and ensuring its quality, so this is especially important.
But you don’t have to stop there. PFAS chemicals aren’t the only substances that could be in your drinking water; from iron, copper and lead to bacteria and microplastics, it’s important to know what’s really coming out of your tap.
Water Solutions for PFAS
How do I avoid exposure to PFAS in my water? When it comes to your drinking water, there’s one easy answer a reverse osmosis drinking water system.
Reverse osmosis is a process that uses a semipermeable membrane as a sort of net, catching and filtering a huge range of contaminants. They can target many contaminants including PFOA/PFOS, viruses, bacteria, pesticides, lead and arsenic.
You don’t have to know everything about PFAS to avoid exposure, especially when it comes to drinking water. All you have to do is call in your Matilija Pure Water Systems water specialists for help.
You can start with a free water test to identify common contaminants. Your specialist will explain laboratory testing options for PFAS chemicals and other complex impurities. Once you have all the right information, they will help you choose the best RO system or whole home system for your needs.
Ready to take the first step? Call us today (805) 963-7873 or visit www.getpurewater.com