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Have you heard the term “forever chemicals” before? These chemicals are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOA) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid). These PFA chemicals are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used in many industry and consumer products since the 1950s.
There are thousands of PFAS chemicals. They can be in everyday products most of us such as: personal care products, drinking water, cleaning products, and non-stick cookware. Since they contain carbon and fluorine, they do not break down easily. This is why they’re referred to as “forever chemicals.” PFAS are found in animal and human blood across the world due to common use of the chemicals.
Exposure to PFAS typically occurs when a person breathes, eats, drinks, or touches a chemical and it enters their body. PFAS can be in drinking water, food, dust, consumer products, and more. You can also be exposed to them if you work with or around PFAS or eat food grown or raised in PFAS contaminated soil or water. If you do not work around PFAS, you are more likely to be exposed by your drinking water or by common household products.
These are just a few of the everyday items PFAS can be found in. Although recent efforts to remove PFAS from products reduced the likelihood of exposure, some products may still contain them. We encourage you to perform your own research on products you use to reduce your exposure to these chemicals.
One of the most common ways to be exposed to PFAS is your drinking water. Since these chemicals do not break down easily, they stay in your tap water for a long period of time, increasing your risk of exposure.
There are ways to lower the amount of PFAS or PFOS in your drinking water. You can install a point-of-use water filtration system. The National Sanitation Foundation provides a list of certified products that can treat and reduce the amount of PFA chemicals in your water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) created an interactive map, so you can explore if your area is contaminated with PFAS.
There are several ways you can reduce exposure to PFAS and find out if your drinking water is contaminated. This applies to both public drinking water systems and well water. For public drinking water systems:
There are a few differences for PFAS treatment if you have a private water well. The EPA does not regulate or provide many recommendations for private wells. However, they do provide tips on how you can test and treat your water if you are concerned.
There are various options to reduce PFAS exposure in your water. At Suburban Water Technology, our first step is to have our water specialists test your water. From here we can determine the level of toxicity with your water. We recommend the best treatment options based on your water test results.
With our recommended treatment plans, we can provide your family with clean and safe water. Whether you’re looking for the best treatment plan to remove PFAS or want to target a different water quality issue – we can help you. Visit our website to learn more, or if you’re in the Pennsylvania or New Jersey area call us: 1-800-525-6464.
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