Overview of PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals widely used in manufacturing and consumer products since the 1940s. Often called “forever chemicals,” PFAS persist in the environment and human body indefinitely due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds that resist natural breakdown. These contaminants have increasingly been detected in drinking water supplies across the United States, raising significant public health concerns.
PFAS contamination in drinking water primarily occurs through industrial discharge, wastewater treatment plants, firefighting foam used at military bases and airports, and landfill leachate. These chemicals migrate into groundwater and surface water sources that supply municipal water systems. Once in the water supply, conventional treatment methods struggle to remove PFAS effectively, allowing them to reach household taps.
The health risks associated with PFAS exposure are extensive and well-documented. Scientific studies link PFAS to increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, pregnancy complications, and increased risk of certain cancers including kidney and testicular cancer. Children exposed to PFAS may experience weakened immune systems, reduced vaccine effectiveness, and developmental delays. The bioaccumulative nature of these chemicals means they build up in the body over time, with health effects potentially emerging years after initial exposure.
PFAS Contamination: What You Should Know
Common PFAS compounds found in drinking water include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), though thousands of variants exist. The EPA has established health advisory levels and recently proposed enforceable limits for several PFAS compounds, recognizing the urgent need for regulation.
Testing for PFAS in drinking water is essential, especially for homes near industrial sites, military installations, or areas with known contamination. Unlike lead, PFAS cannot be removed by simple flushing or boiling. Specialized filtration systems using activated carbon or reverse osmosis are necessary to effectively reduce PFAS concentrations and protect household health from these persistent environmental contaminants.
Why PFAS Testing Matters?
PFAS contamination in drinking water is a widespread problem affecting communities nationwide, yet many homeowners remain unaware of their exposure risk. Testing for these “forever chemicals” is essential because PFAS are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making detection impossible without laboratory analysis. Understanding your water’s PFAS levels is the first critical step toward protecting your family’s health from these persistent toxic substances.
Municipal water testing provides only a general snapshot of community-wide contamination and may not reflect the specific PFAS levels at your tap. Water quality varies significantly between neighborhoods and individual homes based on proximity to contamination sources, local groundwater conditions, and distribution system characteristics. Your home could have elevated PFAS concentrations even if city-wide averages appear acceptable, making individual household testing crucial for accurate risk assessment.
PFAS exposure poses serious long-term health consequences that develop gradually over years of consumption. These chemicals accumulate in the bloodstream and organs, with half-lives ranging from several years to indefinite persistence in the human body. Early detection through testing allows families to implement protective measures before bioaccumulation reaches harmful levels. Waiting for symptoms to appear means significant exposure has already occurred, as health effects often manifest only after prolonged contamination.
Who Is Most at Risk from PFAS Exposure?
Certain populations face heightened vulnerability to PFAS exposure. Pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems require extra protection. PFAS can transfer through the placenta and breast milk, affecting fetal development and infant health. Testing becomes especially important for families planning pregnancies or with young children, as early-life exposure causes the most severe developmental impacts.
Knowing your PFAS levels empowers informed decision-making about water treatment solutions. Different PFAS compounds require specific filtration technologies, and testing results guide selection of appropriate systems. Regular testing also verifies filter effectiveness and indicates when replacement is necessary. Without baseline and ongoing testing, families cannot confirm whether their water is safe or if mitigation efforts are successfully reducing exposure to these dangerous contaminants.