PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water: A Complete Guide to Risks & Solutions

I first heard about PFAS when my sister sent me a text: “Did you see that news story about toxic chemicals in water? Check your tap!”

Initially, I rolled my eyes. Another health panic? But then my county published test results showing PFAS in our drinking water at levels the EPA now considers unsafe. Suddenly, I wasn’t so dismissive.

Three months and countless hours of research later, I’ve become the designated PFAS expert in my social circle. Not by choice – just by necessity. My browser history is filled with scientific papers, my kitchen counter cluttered with water test kits, and I’ve spent more time talking to water treatment specialists than my own family lately.

I’m writing this because I wish someone had broken all this down for me when I started. PFAS information is either overly technical scientific jargon or frustratingly vague warnings. Neither helps you figure out what’s actually coming out of your faucet and whether you should panic about it.

The reality? PFAS contamination is a legitimate concern, but one you can actually do something about. Let me explain.

What Are PFAS, Anyway?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a massive family of synthetic chemicals—around 15,000 different compounds at last count. They’ve been around since the 1940s and are in basically everything: nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, firefighting foam, makeup, dental floss… the list goes on and on.

What makes PFAS special (and problematic) is their carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest chemical bonds in existence. Great for making products that repel water and grease. Absolutely terrible for the environment and our bodies because they practically NEVER break down.

And I mean never. These chemicals will outlast your grandkids’ grandkids. Hence the charming nickname “forever chemicals.”

The two most infamous PFAS are PFOA (used to make Teflon) and PFOS (used in Scotchgard), which most manufacturers in the US phased out in the early 2000s. But here’s the kicker—companies just replaced them with slightly different PFAS chemicals that are… still PFAS! It’s like swapping out one problematic family member at Thanksgiving for their equally problematic cousin.

How Did These Get in My Water?

The short answer is: we put them there.

Decades of manufacturing, using, and discarding PFAS-containing products has created a perfect storm of contamination. These chemicals have seeped from factories, landfills, airports, and military bases (where PFAS-laden firefighting foam is heavily used) into groundwater and surface water nationwide.

Even worse, conventional water treatment plants weren’t designed to filter out PFAS. Most standard municipal systems do absolutely nothing to remove them.

The scale of contamination is staggering. A 2023 USGS study found PFAS in about 45% of tap water samples across the country. Another international study in 2024 identified the US as a global hotspot for PFAS in water. Cool, cool, cool.

And if you’re on well water? Don’t assume you’re safe. PFAS contamination doesn’t discriminate between municipal and private water sources.

Why Should I Care?

Because these chemicals aren’t just hanging out in your water doing nothing—they’re getting into your body and potentially causing health problems.

Research links PFAS exposure to a growing list of health concerns:

• Several types of cancer (kidney, testicular, etc.)
• Liver damage
• Decreased fertility
• Developmental delays in children
• Reduced vaccine response (your COVID shot might be less effective—great!)
• Increased cholesterol
• Thyroid disease
• Pregnancy complications
• Weakened immune system

The frustrating part is that scientists are still figuring out exactly how different PFAS affect our bodies at various exposure levels. But one thing is clear—the more we study these chemicals, the more health concerns we find. Not a great trend.

What makes PFAS particularly tricky is that they bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in your body faster than you can excrete them. The half-life of some PFAS in human blood is measured in years, not days or hours. So even small daily exposures add up over time.

How widespread is human exposure? The CDC has found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans. Yep, you read that right—virtually everyone.

What Levels Are “Safe”?

For years, the answer was basically ¯_(ツ)_/¯.

But in April 2024, the EPA finally established the first-ever national drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds:

• PFOA and PFOS: 4 parts per trillion (ppt) each
• GenX, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS: regulated as a mixture

To put that in perspective, 4 ppt is like four drops in 500 Olympic swimming pools. We’re talking TINY amounts here. The fact that the EPA set limits this low tells you just how potent these chemicals are.

The EPA estimates these new standards will reduce PFAS exposure for about 100 million Americans and prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses. Great start! But critics point out there are thousands more PFAS chemicals not covered by the regulations.

The even more sobering fact? The EPA has openly stated there is no safe level of exposure to some PFAS without health risks. Zero. None.

Testing: What’s In Your Water?

If you’re on public water, your utility should be testing for PFAS soon (if they aren’t already) under the new EPA regulations. Water systems have five years to comply with the new standards—three years to test, then two more years to install treatment if needed.

But why wait? You have options:

1. Check your water quality report: Public utilities publish annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Look for a section on PFAS or unregulated contaminants. Be warned—these reports are often filled with confusing jargon and may not test for all PFAS.
2. Call your water utility: Ask specifically what PFAS they test for and at what levels they’ve been detected. Don’t settle for vague answers.
3. Get your water tested: This is the most direct route. Tests range from $200-$400 and are available from various labs. Some states also offer free testing programs for residents in high-risk areas.

If you’re on a private well, testing is even more crucial since you don’t have a utility monitoring your water. Some states have pilot programs to help well owners with testing costs.

Filtration That Actually Works

If you’ve confirmed PFAS in your water (or just want peace of mind), filtration is your friend. But not all filters work on PFAS—that Brita pitcher probably isn’t cutting it.

Here’s what actually works, from most to least effective:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

• Effectiveness: Removes 95-99% of PFAS
• Installation: Under-sink or whole-house
• Cost: $200-$500 for under-sink; $1,500+ for whole-house
• Pros: Most effective option; also removes many other contaminants
• Cons: Wastes some water; removes beneficial minerals; requires professional installation for whole-house systems

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filters

• Effectiveness: Removes 70-90% of PFAS
• Installation: Under-sink, countertop, or whole-house
• Cost: $100-$400
• Pros: Less expensive than RO; doesn’t remove minerals
• Cons: Less effective on newer, short-chain PFAS; filters need regular replacement

Ion Exchange Filters

• Effectiveness: Removes 90-95% of PFAS, including short-chain varieties
• Installation: Under-sink or whole-house
• Cost: $300-$600
• Pros: Highly effective, especially when combined with GAC
• Cons: More expensive; requires more maintenance

What doesn’t work well? Pitcher filters, refrigerator filters, and standard carbon filters typically don’t remove significant amounts of PFAS. Sorry.

I personally went with an under-sink RO system for drinking and cooking water. It wasn’t cheap, but considering we drink water every single day, it felt worth it. The peace of mind alone is worth something.

Beyond Your Tap: Reducing Overall Exposure

While drinking water is a major PFAS exposure route, it’s not the only one. These chemicals are everywhere, so a comprehensive approach makes sense:

1. Check your cookware: Ditch old nonstick pans, especially if they’re scratched. Opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic alternatives.
2. Rethink food packaging: Minimize fast food and takeout in greaseproof wrappers. Those microwave popcorn bags? Also problematic.
3. Check personal care products: Look for “PFAS-free” labels on cosmetics, dental floss, and menstrual products.
4. Watch your clothing: Water-resistant and stain-resistant items often contain PFAS. Outdoor gear companies are increasingly offering PFAS-free alternatives.
5. Dust and vacuum regularly: PFAS can accumulate in household dust.
6. Check for safer products: Resources like PFAS Central maintain lists of PFAS-free alternatives.

Taking Action Beyond Your Home

If you’re as irritated about this situation as I am, consider channeling that energy:

1. Get involved locally: Attend water board meetings. These are typically boring as hell, but your presence matters.
2. Support stronger regulations: The current EPA standards cover only six PFAS. Advocate for comprehensive regulation of the entire class of chemicals.
3. Push for corporate accountability: Companies should disclose PFAS use and transition to safer alternatives.
4. Stay informed: Follow organizations like the Environmental Working Group that track PFAS developments.

The Bottom Line

Here’s what I’ve learned through this journey: PFAS contamination is a big deal, but it’s not hopeless.

Is it maddening that chemical manufacturers created substances that never break down, put them in countless products, and let them leach into our environment for decades? Absolutely. The fact that internal industry documents show some companies knew about potential health risks as far back as the 1960s makes it even worse.

But unlike some environmental problems that feel completely out of our control, this one has actionable solutions. Testing exists. Effective filtration exists. And increasing awareness is pushing both regulatory agencies and companies to finally address the issue.

I’ve installed an under-sink RO system, swapped out my scratched Teflon pans, and started checking labels more carefully. These steps won’t eliminate every PFAS exposure in my life, but they’ll significantly reduce my family’s risk. And honestly, that’s good enough for now.

The perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of the good when it comes to protecting our health. Do what you can with the information and resources you have. Even small changes add up—especially when dealing with chemicals that accumulate in our bodies over time.

As for me, I’ve got a calendar reminder to change my water filters and a list of questions for my city council’s next water quality meeting. Turns out becoming an accidental PFAS expert has its benefits after all.filtered pitcher in my fridge. Old habits die hard, but at least now I understand what I’m paying for.