Nearly half of US residents have unhealthy PFAS in their water. Here's how to check what's coming out of your tap, plus make it safer to drink.
More than 150 million people in the US have drinking water that’s contaminated with forever chemicals, according to the latest EPA data. So, whether you live way out in the country or in the center of a city, there’s a good chance your drinking water is affected — and that poses health risks.
“The greatest misconception when it comes to water quality is that if water looks, smells and tastes fine, it is fine; but most contaminants, including PFAS, are invisible and tasteless,” says Dr. Eric Roy, a scientist with Culligan. “People can, and should, take control of their water quality by understanding what’s in it.”
Determining whether your water is safe can be as simple as an online search, or it may also involve laboratory testing. Here’s to test for forever chemicals, plus what to do about it if they are in your tap water.
What Are Forever Chemicals?
Forever chemicals — aka PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals found in everyday products, including nonstick cookware, plastics, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, waterproof clothing, food packaging, cleaning products and personal care products, including dental floss. They are also commonly used in manufacturing and firefighting foams.
The term “forever chemicals” originates from their persistent and lingering presence in nature and in our bodies. “Because PFAS are highly resistant to degradation, this leads to environmental contamination,” says Helen Christoni of AquaTru.
The first widespread use of PFAS occurred in 1946, when DuPont introduced nonstick cookware coated with Teflon, according to Sydney Evans, senior science analyst at the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Today, “Decades of heavy use have resulted in contamination of water, soil and the blood of people and animals in the farthest corners of the world.”
Why Are Forever Chemicals Dangerous to Drink?
PFAS have been linked to an array of health risks, including select cancers, reproductive problems, weakened childhood immunity, low birth weight, hormone (endocrine) disruption, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol, weight gain and developmental delays in children.
Most vulnerable are pregnant women and children, as well as those who live near or work at commonly contaminated sites like landfills, industrial facilities and military bases. However, because they are “forever,” even traces of PFAS can build up in the body over a lifetime and cause harm.
How To Test for Forever Chemicals
The first and easiest step to test for forever chemicals in your drinking water is to contact your community water system or look up your zip code in EWG’s Tap Water Database and PFAS map. You can also check the Is My Water Safe database, says Christoni.
If your water utility reports contamination data, Evans says there’s no need to also pursue at-home tests. But if they don’t, or if you’re on a well or live near a high-risk area, you can get your water physically tested with a mail-in test kit to a certified laboratory. They’ll then give you a report on which, if any PFAS are present.
“Some state-certified labs also offer PFAS tests for free or at a discounted cost,” says toxicologist Dr. Shannon Fitzgerald, so check with your county to see what’s available.
How to Interpret Test Results
According to EPA, forever chemicals in your drinking water above 4ppt (parts per trillion) present a health risk. However, “the exact level at which PFAS become dangerous is not well understood,” says Fitzgerald. “Research indicates that even low levels of exposure can have significant negative health impacts.”
Also, not all PFAS pose the same risks. So, again, EWG’s Tap Water Database is a good resource for understanding health guidelines and limits for various PFAS. For example, see the information on perfluorooctanoic acid here.
What To Do If You Have a Dangerous Level of Forever Chemicals In Your Water
Water filters can help reduce levels of forever chemicals in tap water, including granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resin (IX) and reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Options range from cheap countertop pitchers to expensive whole-house systems, “although the latter can have very high costs and in most cases aren’t needed,” says Evans.
Carbon filters are the most economical, plus are lower maintenance. However, reverse osmosis filters are more effective at removing a wide range of contaminants. Whichever way you go, “It is most important to prioritize filtering the water you drink and cook with for your safety and wellbeing,” says Roy.
When choosing a filter, also look for one certified for PFAS removal (specifically NSF/ANSI certifications), and consult EWG’s Tap Water Database, which recommends filters based on the array of PFAS plus other contaminants specific to your location.
About the Experts
- Sydney Evans is a senior science analyst at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), where she focuses on cumulative risk and exposure analysis of PFAS and other drinking water contaminants across the U.S.
- Dr. Shannon Fitzgerald is a pharmacist, toxicologist and medical contributor with drugwatch.com. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University, a master’s in toxicology and worked as a toxicologist for the State of Alaska for many years.
- Dr. Eric Roy is a scientist and president of the consumer product division at Culligan. He has more than 20 years of experience in water science and chemical detection, including founding Hydroviv in 2015, to address high levels of lead pollution at the outset of the Flint Water Crisis.
- Helen Christoni is senior vice president of AquaTru water filtration systems, a leading clean water brand. She has 20 years of experience in health and wellness.
