Last updated: February 2026
What Are PFAS (Forever Chemicals)?
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals manufactured since the 1940s. They're built around one of the strongest chemical bonds in nature: the carbon-fluorine bond. This is what makes them so useful industrially — and so dangerous to human health.
PFAS are used in:
- Nonstick cookware (Teflon and similar coatings)
- Waterproof clothing (Gore-Tex, Scotchgard)
- Food packaging (microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, pizza boxes)
- Firefighting foam (AFFF — the primary source of groundwater contamination)
- Stain-resistant fabrics (carpets, upholstery)
- Cosmetics and personal care products
They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment. Once PFAS enter water, soil, or your body, they persist indefinitely. The half-life of PFOS (one common PFAS compound) in the human body is approximately 5.4 years — meaning it takes over 5 years for your body to eliminate just half of what it's absorbed.
How PFAS Get Into Drinking Water
PFAS enter water supplies through several pathways:
Military Bases & Airports
AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) used for fire training and emergencies is the single largest source of PFAS groundwater contamination. The Department of Defense has identified 700+ military installations with known or suspected PFAS contamination.
Industrial Discharge
Factories that manufacture or use PFAS release them into wastewater. Major chemical companies like 3M and DuPont (now Chemours) have been the subject of massive lawsuits over PFAS contamination.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Conventional wastewater treatment does NOT remove PFAS. When treated wastewater is discharged into rivers and lakes that serve as drinking water sources, PFAS pass straight through.
Biosolids (Sewage Sludge)
When PFAS-containing wastewater sludge is applied to farmland as fertilizer, PFAS leach into groundwater and contaminate crops. This is an emerging concern in agricultural states like Maine, Michigan, and New Mexico.
Landfill Leachate
PFAS-containing products in landfills slowly release chemicals into groundwater as they degrade.
Health Risks of PFAS Exposure
Decades of research — much of it initially hidden by chemical manufacturers — have linked PFAS exposure to serious health effects:
Cancer
PFOA classified as a carcinogen by IARC (2023). Linked to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and potentially thyroid, prostate, and ovarian cancers.
Immune Dysfunction
Reduced vaccine effectiveness (including COVID-19 vaccines), suppressed immune response, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Thyroid Disease
PFAS disrupt thyroid hormone production and metabolism. Associated with hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Reproductive Issues
Decreased fertility, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, and lower birth weights.
Liver Damage
Elevated liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and impaired liver function at chronic exposure levels.
Cholesterol & Heart Disease
PFAS exposure consistently linked to elevated cholesterol levels, increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
Children are most vulnerable. PFAS exposure during development is associated with reduced vaccine response, lower birth weight, and potential developmental delays. Children's smaller body mass means the same exposure has proportionally greater effects.
EPA Regulations: The 2024 PFAS Rule
In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever enforceable federal limits for PFAS in drinking water — decades after the contamination was first identified:
| PFAS Compound | EPA Limit (MCL) | Previous Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4 ppt | None (advisory: 70 ppt) |
| PFOS | 4 ppt | None (advisory: 70 ppt) |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | None |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | None |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | None |
| Mixtures | Hazard Index ≤ 1 | None |
Key timeline:
- 2025-2027: Utilities must complete initial monitoring
- 2029: Full compliance required — utilities must treat water to meet new limits
- $1 billion+ in EPA funding available to help small water systems comply
Note: Several states have set their own stricter limits, and some are ahead of the federal timeline. Check your state's specific PFAS regulations for the most current information.
How Widespread Is PFAS Contamination?
The short answer: it's everywhere.
- A 2023 USGS study estimated at least 45% of U.S. tap water contains detectable PFAS (some researchers suggest 86% when using more sensitive testing).
- Blood testing shows 98% of Americans have detectable PFAS levels.
- The highest contamination clusters are near military bases, airports, and industrial sites that used firefighting foam.
- PFAS have been detected in rainwater worldwide — there is literally no uncontaminated water source on Earth.
Areas with known high PFAS contamination include:
- Michigan (statewide contamination from multiple sources)
- New Jersey (industrial contamination)
- North Carolina (GenX from Chemours/DuPont plant)
- Colorado Springs / Peterson AFB
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts (Otis Air National Guard Base)
- Bucks/Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
How to Test Your Water for PFAS
Standard home water test kits don't test for PFAS — you need specialized testing:
Cyclopure PFAS Water Test
~$150
Tests for 30+ PFAS compounds via accredited lab. Results in 2-3 weeks with detailed breakdown of each compound detected.
View on Amazon →Safe Home Ultimate Kit
~$200
Tests for 200+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, pesticides, and VOCs. Lab-certified results for a complete water quality picture.
View on Amazon →Which Filters Remove PFAS?
Not all water filters remove PFAS. Here's the breakdown:
| Filter Type | PFAS Removal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis | 90-99% | Most effective consumer option. Removes nearly all PFAS compounds. |
| Activated Carbon (NSF P473) | 70-95% | Must be certified to NSF P473 specifically. Effectiveness varies by compound and filter age. |
| Nanofiltration | 80-95% | Effective but less common in consumer products. |
| Ion Exchange | 60-90% | Effective for some PFAS types. Often used in whole-house systems. |
| Standard Brita/PUR Pitcher | 0-50% | Not designed for PFAS. Some incidental removal but unreliable. |
| Standard Fridge Filter | 0-30% | Not effective for PFAS removal. |
| Boiling | 0% (concentrates) | Do NOT boil to remove PFAS — it increases concentration. |
Best Water Filters for PFAS Removal
APEC ROES-50
~$200
5-stage RO removes 99%+ of PFAS along with virtually all other contaminants. The most cost-effective PFAS solution. Made in USA with lifetime support.
View on Amazon →iSpring RCC7AK
~$250
6-stage RO with alkaline remineralization. Removes PFAS while adding back healthy minerals for better taste. NSF/ANSI 58 certified.
View on Amazon →Waterdrop G3P800
~$700
Tankless RO with smart TDS monitoring. 800 GPD means instant filtered water on demand. The best overall system for PFAS-concerned households.
View on Amazon →Reducing Your Total PFAS Exposure
Water filtration is the single biggest step, but PFAS exposure comes from multiple sources:
- Replace nonstick cookware with cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic
- Avoid stain-resistant treatments on furniture and carpets
- Check food packaging — avoid microwave popcorn bags and grease-proof wrappers
- Choose PFAS-free clothing — look for brands that have phased out PFAS in waterproof gear
- Check cosmetics — avoid products listing "PTFE" or "fluoro" compounds
- Filter your drinking water — an RO system at your kitchen sink eliminates the primary exposure route
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, and food packaging. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment or the human body.
Do water filters remove PFAS?
Reverse osmosis systems remove 90-99% of PFAS — the most effective consumer option. Activated carbon filters certified to NSF P473 can remove 70-95%. Standard Brita and PUR pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove PFAS. Learn more about what Brita filters can and can't do →
What is the EPA limit for PFAS in drinking water?
In April 2024, the EPA set enforceable limits: 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS individually, 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX, plus a hazard index approach for mixtures. Water systems must comply by 2029.
How do I know if my water has PFAS?
Check the EWG Tap Water Database or your utility's testing data. For definitive results, use a PFAS-specific home water test kit that sends samples to an accredited lab.
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. Boiling does NOT remove PFAS and actually concentrates them as water evaporates. You need reverse osmosis, activated carbon certified to NSF P473, or nanofiltration to remove PFAS from water.