"Forever Chemicals" continue to make waves through the news. It sounds like something from a science fiction movie, but it's actually nickname for a group of man-made compounds receiving increasing attention from both researchers and regulators.
The technical name of these compounds are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both of those chemicals live under a larger umbrella of lab-made chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). All of them are a mouthful!
Basically, the important thing to know is they are chemicals formed by artificially bonding carbon and flourine. Anywhere outside of a scientific lab you'll likely hear them referenced as the acronyms, "forever chemicals," or even GenX chemicals because it's a lot easier to say.
But what are PFAS chemicals, where do they come from, and why should you care? Let's break it down for you and separate the facts from the headlines.
What are PFAS chemicals?
The PFAS group of chemicals have been used since the 1940's for a wide range of industrial and consumer products because they can resist heat, water, and oil. The most common products known for PFAS additives are:
- Non-stick cookware
- Stain-resistant carpets
- Stain shielded upholstery
- Water repellent clothing
- Microwave popcorn bags & other food packaging
- Firefighting foams
- Adhesives
- Cosmetics
- Leather products
At the time, these products were a manufacturing miracle. Who wouldn't want khakis that BBQ sauce bounces off of so you don't have to walk around all afternoon with a stain?! Unfortunately, modern marvels often come with a catch and back then they were less worried about researching those consequences.
Over time, employees in the factories using PFAS chemicals were being diagnosed with various cancers at accelerated rates. There is a great documentary called, "The Devil We Know" that tells a story of this realization at a plant that made Teflon®.
Today, it's been studied and official determined that these chemicals are responsible for causing multiple types of cancer. They also lower your the capabilities of your immune system and cause developmental issues in small children. Not only is are they dangerous materials, they're VERY STRONG ones. It only takes very small (trace) amounts to have a negative affect to our bodies.
Why Are They Considered "Forever"?
The carbon-flourine bond that exists in the chemicals is extremely resistant from breaking down. So once it has been introduced to an area, it stays in the water, soil, and living creatures for multiple decades.
So, there is nothing for the PFAS contaminants to do except accumulate and spread.
Last year, an EPA study found that 158 Million Americans had levels of PFAS in their water supply. In 2007, the CDC estimated that 98% of people living in the U.S. had Forever Chemicals in their blood stream.
How to Prevent PFAS in Your Home?
When you have the opportunity, try to avoid buying products that are using these type of chemical treatments. Below is a list from Science Direct of the most common products that contain PFAS:
Textiles are the obvious front-runner to the highest usage of PFAS chemicals. It's a rather broad category but items that would be included in there are:
- Stain-guard carpeting
- Stain-guard sofas, chairs, mattresses, or other furniture
- Water-repelling tents, jackets, backpacks, etc.
When it comes to Forever Chemicals in your water supply that you have no control over, you can still take a stand by investing in a whole-home filter certified for PFAS removal.
Varsity Water System proudly offers the PIONEER cartridge filter by ENPRESS. It's a system tested and certified by independent agencies to ensure the effectiveness of PFAS reduction.
To meet these standards, it must reduce the PFOS/PFOA concentration to below 70 parts per trillion for the life of the filter. With PIONEER, the results are below 10 parts per trillion!
To learn more about the PIONEER filter and it's performance against PFAS, check out the full product brochure:
Unlike point-of-use filters that treat water at a single faucet, the PIONEER is designed as a whole-house filtration system, providing filtration from the point where water enters your home.
You don't have to become a water chemistry expert to make informed decisions about your home's water.
Understanding what PFOS and PFOA are—and choosing filtration systems that have been independently certified for their reduction—can help you make confident choices for your family.
If you're looking for a local water professional to install a PIONEER PFAS filter, click the button below for a recommendation from Varsity Water's network.