What You Need to Know About PFAS in Drinking Water
Awareness is building worldwide about the risks of PFAS in drinking water. If you have heard of these dangerous chemicals but don’t know how you might be affected, this article will teach you what you need to know.
What Are PFAS?
Polyfluouroalkyl Substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”, refers to a group of man-made chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, GenX, & PFBS) whose bonds are so strong that they cannot be broken down naturally. This group consists of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, will persist in water and soil indefinitely which is why they have earned the name “forever chemicals.” These chemicals are used in cookware, clothing, packaging, household chemicals, cosmetics and potentially anything that advertises itself as non-stick, stain free, or water resistant. The most infamous household name tied to PFAS is Teflon. Though the popular non-stick pans are not solely to blame for the chemical dangers we all face, they are a large culprit.
The EPA’s New Guidelines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new non-binding health guidelines on the acceptable level of PFAS in drinking water. We are here to explain what that means and what you can do to ensure that your family has safe drinking water.
“PFAS are dangerous in levels so low that they cannot be detected with today’s technology”
The EPA recently issued a health advisory setting the safe amount of PFAS to near zero. In 2016 the acceptable level was 70 parts per trillion. PFAS are dangerous in levels so low that they cannot be detected with today’s technology. This may sound scary and make you feel uneasy, and it honestly should. Companies are not required to label their products as containing PFAS and are not regulated. Most companies voluntarily phased out the use of PFAS upon learning of the serious health risks, however, since these chemicals have a life span far longer than we can imagine, they are still posing a threat to public health. Numerous city and private wells have been forced to shut down due to high levels of PFAS.
The Dangers of PFAS
There are several medical dangers connected to PFAS. Prolonged exposure to PFAS can cause them to accumulate in the blood stream and create various health risks including but not limited to:
- Birth defects
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Decreased potency of vaccines.
It’s crucially important to get your water tested and keep PFAS as far away from you and your family as possible. Don’t forget that these chemicals are FOREVER, once they seep into the ground water and make their way into the municipal water supply or your personal well, they won’t go away.
Where are PFAS Located?
A group of scientists from the Environmental Working Group
(EWG) conducted a study to try and narrow down the areas where PFAS are
present in the water supply. Out of 44 water samples taken from various cities
in the US, only 1 didn’t have traceable amount of PFAS.
There is a higher concentration in communities where PFAS using companies were located. If you’d like to find out if your community has been tested and the results of those test, visit the Minnesota Department of Health. Find the levels of PFAS in your city by checking out PFAS Contamination in the U.S. Map, this data is from as recent as June 8, 2022.
Solutions
Thankfully, there are ways to remove PFAS from your water! The most common way to remove PFAS from contaminated water is a reverse osmosis (RO) water filter system. A reverse osmosis system uses multiple semipermeable membranes that filter contaminants out of the water leaving only clean drinking water. One of the most reliable and trusted names in RO water filtration is Kinetico.
Kinetico is a nationwide company that provides top-notch water treatment solutions, from water softening to safe drinking water. The Kinetico team is trained to tailor their systems to your home’s unique water problems and your families’ health concerns. An added bonus; the Kinetico water treatment system is saltless and non-electric, so it won’t run up your energy bill.
Aquarius Home Services
Aquarius Home Services is an authorized Kinetico water system dealer in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our continuously trained technicians are skilled in providing custom water treatment solutions for your budget and home.
If you are just looking to make your drinking water safe and clean, we recommend getting a Kinetico K5 Drinking Water System. These compact water filters can fit underneath your kitchen sink or be hooked up to the drinking water dispenser in your fridge.
The K5 model features 9 stages of filtration and removes up to 99% of contaminants: including PFAS, chlorine, iron, sulfur, manganese, and even arsenic. Give Aquarius Home Services a call to schedule your FREE water quality test.
References
EPA. Environmental Protection Agency.
