Category: PFAS

My buddy Jake called me last Tuesday, sounding like absolute garbage. He’d been dealing with this persistent cough for weeks – the kind that keeps you up at night and makes people avoid you at work.

“Dude, I’ve been to three different doctors,” he told me between coughing fits. “They’ve given me every antibiotic under the sun, but nothing’s working. One of them even asked if I’d been exposed to anything weird at home.”

That got my attention. A few weeks earlier, I’d come across this article about bacteria living in showerheads. At the time, I’d skimmed it and thought “gross, but probably not something I need to worry about.” But listening to Jake hack up a lung on the phone made me wonder – could something as simple as his daily shower be making him sick?

Turns out, I was onto something. And what I discovered about the bacterial ecosystem thriving in our showerheads completely changed how I think about bathroom hygiene.

The Biofilm Jungle in Your Showerhead

Here’s something that’ll ruin your next hot shower: your showerhead is basically a petri dish. The inside of most showerheads contains what scientists call “biofilms” – slimy layers of bacteria that thrive in warm, moist environments.

Research shows that bacterial abundances often exceed 106 cells cm−2 inside shower plumbing. To put that in perspective, that’s millions of bacteria per square centimeter. Your toilet seat has way fewer germs than your showerhead.

The really unsettling part? Every time you turn on your shower, some of these bacteria get “aerosolized” – basically turned into microscopic droplets that you then breathe deep into your lungs. It’s like getting a bacterial mist treatment you definitely didn’t sign up for.

The Bacteria You Don’t Want to Meet

Not all bacteria are bad, obviously. But the specific types that love living in showerheads include some genuinely concerning characters:

Mycobacterium avium – This cousin of tuberculosis bacteria has been found in 20% of household showerheads in studies. It can cause serious lung infections, especially in people with compromised immune systems. But here’s the kicker – it can also make healthy people sick.

Legionella – Yes, the same bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. It thrives in warm water systems and can be fatal if you inhale enough of it.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Triggers ear and eye infections, and can be particularly nasty for people with underlying health conditions.

What makes these bacteria especially problematic is their resistance to standard disinfectants. Mycobacteria are significantly more resistant than other bacteria to chlorine and chlorine by-products, which means the chlorine your water utility adds to kill germs actually helps these specific bacteria dominate your showerhead ecosystem.

Why This Problem Is Getting Worse

The rise in nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections has been puzzling doctors for years. But researchers are starting to connect the dots to our shower habits.

Think about it: a century ago, most people took baths. Soaking in a tub doesn’t create the same bacterial aerosols that showering does. It has been hypothesized that the rise in pulmonary infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria over recent decades is linked to increased use of showers rather than baths.

The problem is worse in certain regions. States like Florida, California, and Hawaii have become “hot spots” for NTM infections, and researchers have found these same areas have higher concentrations of dangerous bacteria in residential showerheads.

Municipal water treatment might actually be making the problem worse. Areas with heavily chlorinated water show higher levels of mycobacteria in showerheads because these bacteria are chlorine-resistant while their competitors aren’t.

Who’s Most at Risk?

The good news is that most healthy people won’t get seriously ill from shower bacteria. The bad news? A growing number of us fall into higher-risk categories:

• People with compromised immune systems (cancer patients, transplant recipients, HIV patients)
• Anyone with chronic lung disease or conditions like asthma
• Smokers (past or present)
• Alcoholics
• Older adults
• People with certain genetic predispositions

But even healthy guys can develop infections. I learned this firsthand watching Jake’s situation unfold with our decade-old showerhead that we’d never thought to clean or replace.

The Geographic Factor

Where you live matters more than you’d think. Researchers found geographic regions within the United States where showerheads have particularly high abundances of potentially pathogenic lineages of mycobacteria, and these “hot spots” generally overlapped those regions where NTM lung disease is most prevalent.

If you live in:

• Hawaii
• Southern California
• Florida
• New York City area
• Parts of the Southwest

You’re in a higher-risk zone for both showerhead contamination and related lung infections.

What You Can Actually Do About It

After Jake’s whole ordeal, I wasn’t taking any chances. But instead of just worrying about it, I figured out some practical steps that actually work.

Replace Old Showerheads This was my first move after Jake’s situation. If you’ve had the same showerhead for years (or got one with your place and never changed it), just replace it. They’re not expensive, and it’s the easiest way to start fresh.

For guys with health issues, some experts recommend replacing showerheads every couple of years as a precaution.

Choose Metal Over Plastic Studies show bacteria build up more in plastic fixtures than metal ones. When I bought my replacement, I went with stainless steel.

Clean Regularly I now do a monthly deep clean of my showerhead:

• Take it off completely
• Soak in white vinegar for several hours
• Scrub with an old toothbrush to clear out all the holes
• Rinse thoroughly before putting it back

Let Water Run Before Getting In I’ve started running the shower for 30 seconds before jumping in. This flushes out the stagnant water where bacteria concentrations are highest.

Consider Filtered Shower Water Whole-house water filtration systems can reduce the bacterial load coming into your plumbing. It’s a bigger investment, but worth considering if you’re in a high-risk area or have health concerns.

Improve Bathroom Ventilation Better airflow reduces the humid conditions bacteria love. I installed a more powerful exhaust fan and leave it running during and after showers.

Hospital-Grade Solutions

Some hospitals now use special membrane-integrated showerheads that filter out bacteria before the water even reaches you. Research in stem cell transplant units showed these systems reduced bacterial counts in shower aerosols by over 80%.

While these aren’t widely available for home use yet, they point toward potential solutions for high-risk individuals.

When to See a Doctor

If you’ve been experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms – especially a nagging cough, shortness of breath, or frequent lung infections – it’s worth asking your doctor about NTM testing.

Be prepared to mention your home’s water source and shower habits. Many doctors still aren’t aware of the showerhead connection, so you might need to educate them.

The Bigger Picture

This whole showerhead situation is a perfect example of how modern conveniences can create unexpected health risks. We traded the safety of baths for the convenience of showers without fully understanding the trade-offs.

The research is still developing, but the patterns are clear enough to take seriously. Areas with the most chlorinated water have the most resistant bacteria in showerheads. People in those areas also have higher rates of certain lung infections.

It’s not exactly cause and effect proven in court, but it’s compelling enough that I’m not taking chances with my family’s health.

My New Shower Routine

These days, my bathroom setup looks a bit different:

• New stainless steel showerhead (replacing every 18 months)
• Monthly vinegar cleanings
• 30-second water flush before getting in
• Better ventilation during and after showers
• Annual water quality testing

It sounds like a lot, but honestly, most of it has become routine. And Jake? He replaced his crusty old showerhead, started cleaning it regularly, and hasn’t had another mystery respiratory infection since.

The peace of mind is worth the small hassle. Every time I step into my shower now, I know I’m not breathing in a cocktail of potentially dangerous bacteria. That’s worth a few extra minutes of maintenance each month.

Your showerhead might look clean from the outside, but remember – it’s what you can’t see that matters most. In this case, what you can’t see might literally be making you sick.

Three weeks ago, I’m scrolling through news on my phone during lunch break when this headline stops me cold: “Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in County Water Systems.”

My first thought? Not our water. Couldn’t be. We live in a decent area, our water tastes fine, never had any boil advisories or weird smells. But there it was in black and white—PFAS detected in multiple local water supplies, including ours, at levels the EPA now considers unsafe.

The article was pretty dry. Lots of scientific terminology and official statements from water departments about “continued monitoring” and “compliance timelines.” What really got to me was the tiny mention buried in the middle: potential links to cancer, immune system problems, and developmental issues in children.

That’s when it hit me. We’ve been drinking this water every day. My kids have been drinking this water every day. For years.

So yeah, I may have gone into full research mode after that. Spent the next few evenings diving deep into PFAS contamination, calling our water utility with probably too many questions, and figuring out what we could actually do about it.

The good news? Unlike many environmental threats, PFAS exposure through drinking water is something you can actually tackle at home. You don’t need a chemistry degree or a massive budget – just some practical knowledge and a willingness to make a few changes.

Here are six proven ways I’ve learned to reduce my family’s PFAS exposure through water, starting with the most important ones.

1. Install a Quality Water Filter (The Game Changer)

Let’s start with the big one. Most tap water filters you see advertised – those pitcher filters, fridge filters, basic faucet attachments – aren’t designed to remove PFAS. It’s like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight.

For PFAS removal, you need one of these proven technologies:

Reverse Osmosis (My Top Pick) I ended up installing an under-sink RO system after comparing options for months. It removes 95-99% of PFAS, plus a bunch of other contaminants I didn’t even know about. Cost me around $400 for a decent system, plus about $100 yearly for filter replacements.

The downsides? It’s slower than regular tap water (takes about 30 seconds to fill a glass), and it removes beneficial minerals along with bad stuff. But honestly, I sleep better knowing what’s NOT in our drinking water.

Granular Activated Carbon (Budget-Friendly Option) These systems cost less upfront ($150-$300) and don’t require as much maintenance. They remove about 70-90% of PFAS, which isn’t perfect but still significant. Look for filters specifically certified for PFAS removal – regular carbon filters won’t cut it.

Ion Exchange Systems These are particularly good at removing shorter-chain PFAS that some other filters miss. They’re pricier ($400-$700) but highly effective when combined with carbon filtration.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association for PFAS removal. Don’t trust marketing claims alone.

2. Get Your Water Tested First (Know Your Enemy)

Before I bought any filters, I spent $250 testing our water for PFAS. Best money ever spent, because it told me exactly what I was dealing with.

Many people skip this step and jump straight to filtration, but testing first helps you:

• Choose the right type of filter for your specific PFAS contamination
• Establish a baseline to measure improvement
• Avoid overspending on unnecessary treatment

Where to Test:

• State-certified labs (search “[your state] certified water testing labs”)
• Some hardware stores now offer PFAS test kits
• Your water utility might test for free if you ask nicely

If you’re on well water, testing is even more critical since you don’t have a utility monitoring your supply.

The test results might look intimidating – lots of abbreviations and numbers. Focus on the total PFAS concentration and compare it to the EPA’s new limits (4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS).

3. Use Filtered Water for Everything You Consume

This sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget all the ways we consume tap water beyond drinking glasses.

I made a mental checklist of every way my family uses water that enters our bodies:

• Drinking water (duh)
• Coffee and tea brewing
• Cooking pasta, rice, soups
• Making ice cubes
• Baby formula preparation
• Brushing teeth
• Washing fruits and vegetables

That last one surprised me. If you’re washing produce in PFAS-contaminated water, you’re potentially adding chemicals to foods you’re trying to make healthier.

I keep a large pitcher of filtered water on the counter for cooking and a smaller one in the fridge for drinking. It’s become second nature, and the kids actually prefer the taste of filtered water now.

4. Be Strategic About Bottled Water (But Don’t Rely on It Long-Term)

When our RO system needed repairs last month, I temporarily switched to bottled water. But here’s the thing – bottled water isn’t automatically PFAS-free.

The FDA doesn’t currently regulate PFAS in bottled water, and testing has found these chemicals in various brands. Plus, bottled water creates its own environmental problems and gets expensive fast.

That said, if you need a short-term solution while installing filtration or during emergencies, look for:

• Brands that specifically advertise PFAS testing
• Spring water from protected sources
• Distilled water (though it tastes terrible)

Some companies now market “PFAS-free” bottled water, but verify their testing claims before trusting them completely.

5. Reduce Other PFAS Sources While You’re at It

Since I was already worried about PFAS, I figured I might as well tackle other sources around the house. Water isn’t the only way these chemicals enter our bodies.

Kitchen Changes:

• Ditched our old nonstick pans for stainless steel (took some getting used to, but now I actually prefer them)
• Stopped buying microwave popcorn (those bags are lined with PFAS)
• Reduced takeout from places using greaseproof containers

Personal Care Products:

• Checked labels on cosmetics, dental floss, and menstrual products
• Found PFAS-free alternatives for most items (surprisingly easy once you start looking)

Clothing and Household Items:

• Avoided “stain-resistant” and “water-repellent” treatments
• Chose regular carpet instead of stain-resistant versions when we renovated

These changes didn’t happen overnight, and I didn’t throw out everything at once. I just made different choices as items needed replacing.

6. Stay Informed and Get Involved Locally

Knowledge is power, especially with an issue that’s evolving as quickly as PFAS regulation.

I set up Google alerts for “PFAS” and my city’s name to catch local developments. Turned out our water utility was planning system upgrades that would include PFAS treatment – information I never would have known otherwise.

What I Do to Stay Current:

• Follow the EPA’s PFAS updates
• Check my state’s environmental agency website quarterly
• Attend occasional city council meetings (yes, they’re boring, but water quality discussions are actually interesting)
• Join local Facebook groups focused on environmental health

I also learned that federal funding is available to help communities address PFAS contamination. Our town applied for grants to upgrade the water treatment plant – something that benefits everyone, not just people who can afford home filtration systems.

Advocate for Your Community:

• Ask your water utility about their PFAS testing schedule
• Support infrastructure investments for water treatment upgrades
• Push for stronger regulations on PFAS manufacturing and disposal

What About My Kids?

This whole journey started with concern for my children, so here are some kid-specific considerations:

Infants and Toddlers:

• Never mix formula with unfiltered tap water if PFAS are detected
• Breastfeeding mothers should use filtered water too (PFAS can transfer through breast milk)
• Watch out for sippy cups and bottles made with PFAS-containing materials

School-Age Kids:

• Pack filtered water in reusable bottles for school
• Talk to your school about their water quality testing
• Consider what they’re drinking at friends’ houses and activities

Teenagers:

• Explain why you’re using filtered water so they understand the importance
• Make sure they know to use filtered water for things like contact lens care

The goal isn’t to make kids paranoid about water, but to create healthy habits they’ll carry into adulthood.

Making It All Work in Real Life

Let me be honest – implementing all these changes took months, not days. I started with water testing and filtration, then gradually addressed other sources.

The key is not letting perfect become the enemy of good. Even if you only install a basic PFAS-removal filter and start using it for drinking water, that’s still a significant reduction in exposure.

Some weeks I forget to refill the filtered water pitcher and end up using tap water for cooking. The world doesn’t end. I just try to be more consistent the next week.

My family has adapted well to these changes. The kids actually like helping change the water filters (it’s become a monthly science lesson), and we’ve discovered we prefer the taste of filtered water for coffee and tea.

The peace of mind is worth the effort and expense. When I hear news about PFAS contamination in other communities, I’m grateful we’ve taken steps to protect ourselves rather than just hoping our water supply stays clean.

PFAS contamination is a serious issue that requires both individual action and systemic change. While we’re working toward better regulations and cleanup efforts, protecting our families starts at home – literally at the tap.

Take it one step at a time, focus on the changes that make the biggest difference, and remember that even small reductions in exposure add up over time. Your future self (and your kids’ future selves) will thank you for taking action today.

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.