Got PFAS? You’d Better Find Out!

PFAS stands for Pre- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances. That’s quite the mouthful, so most non-chemists refer to them as Forever Chemicals.

PFAS are manufactured chemicals that were created to repel heat, grease and water. This makes them nearly indestructible. They are used in a wide variety ofproducts, including waterproof and stain-repelling fabrics, soft contact lenses, cosmetics, paper drinking straws, and firefighting foams.

Unfortunately, PFAS’s characteristics allow them to build up in the environment and in the human body. You acquire PFAS by living near areas where the air, soil or drinking water is contaminated. They can enter through your skin or tear ducts or you may breathe them in. PFAS also get into your body when you eat foods grown or raised near places that made or used these chemicals, or by using the many common products that contain them. They also pass from expectant mothers to their unborn babies.

Inside living things, PFAS increase the risk of some types of cancer and cause other health problems. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says PFAS have numerous health impacts, which include decreasing fertility, increasing cholesterol, reducing the effectiveness of the immune system, causing childhood developmental delays, and disrupting hormones.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been testing public drinking water from systems with at least 3,300 customers for the past three years to measure amounts of PFAS and other forever chemicals. The EPA has established limits to how much of these chemicals is allowed in drinking water.

You can see results from tests throughout the country in a detailed map here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/14/pfas-epa-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-pollution/85639307007/

When a drinking water system exceeds the EPA limits, they have until 2029 to either install an effective filtering system or find a non-contaminated source for their water supply. (However, the EPA may extend this deadline, as well as increasing the allowed amounts of certain chemicals.)

Can you avoid PFAS in your drinking water in contaminated areas? Yes, home water treatment systems including activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems can remove PFAS along with other contaminants. Be sure the filter you purchase is certified by an independent testing organization such as the NationalSanitation Foundation (NSF) or the Water Quality Association (WQA) as able to reduce PFAS.

Not all bottled water is free of PFAS. The International Bottled Water Association has established a safe limit for PFAS in their members’ products. Check that the brand you purchase is certified.

Staying hydrated is important for your overall health. So is avoiding PFAS. Check the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database to see water quality results for your area in your state. Drink adequate water, but be sure it is free of health-impairing chemicals.