What are PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances that break down very slowly in the environment and our bodies, potentially lasting thousands of years. Used in a variety of consumer products and industrial processes since the 1950s, PFAS are now associated with a variety of harmful health effects.

What does that mean for public health? While scientists have a lot more work to do to understand the full effects of PFAS pollution and how to stop it, there are steps you can take to protect yourself in the meantime. That means identifying and reducing exposure wherever possible — including your tap water.

Here’s everything you need to know and how to manage PFAS chemicals in water.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, emerged in the 1940s as repellents of fire, water, oil and stains. Their nonstick properties, ability to withstand extreme temperatures and resistance to degradation make them useful components for commercial and industrial products. They are commonly used in items such as nonstick cookware, fire-fighting foams, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, cosmetics and water-resistant fabrics.

These forever chemicals earn their name from their unique combination of carbon and fluorine atoms. This creates a particularly strong bond. While this was a great way to make consumer products longer-lasting, it also created substances that can’t easily dissolve, disintegrate or break down. 

PFAS substances are also known for:

• Being synthetic and not naturally found in the environment
• Lasting a long time in different environments, including the bodies of humans and wildlife, without breaking down
• Containing certain properties that help products resist heat, oil, water and more

Can You See, Smell or Taste PFAS Chemicals?

Unlike some other chemicals, PFAS are essentially undetectable to human senses. That means there won’t be any hints that they may be in your drinking water, food or body. This is part of what makes forever chemicals so difficult to identify, study and address.

Where Do PFAS Come From?

PFAS chemicals have a lot of potential paths to your drinking glass. For example, PFAS in the air can get into rainwater and end up in both groundwater (like aquifers) and surface water (like lakes and rivers). Because wells often draw from groundwater and the public water system may use both sources, there are a variety of ways PFAS chemicals may get into your water. 

Even bottled water and sparkling water may contain PFAS. That’s because many bottling companies draw their water from the same sources as the public water system.

Beyond individual products, these potentially toxic chemicals have also been part of industrial processes like photo imaging, oil production, metal plating, coating semiconductors, creating medical devices and more.

How Can You Get Exposed To PFAS?

PFAS has been phased out of many products in North America, but that doesn’t address the lingering impacts on natural systems and environments. On top of that, some manufacturers phased out PFOA and PFOS chemicals (some of the most commonly used types of PFAS) only to replace them with different PFAS. This means that workers in some industries are especially likely to be exposed to certain PFAS substances.

But even if you aren’t dealing with the chemical directly, almost everyone likely has some level of PFAS exposure. In fact, U.S. research detected PFAS in 95% to 100% of samples of people’s blood in the years 1999-2000 and 2003-2004. More recent research found that at least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS, underscoring the importance of informed water choices. In Canada, recent reporting indicates a common presence of PFAS across provinces and territories.

That’s because PFAS chemicals move through the environment and touch almost everything. For example, when consumer products made with PFAS go to landfills, the chemicals can end up in the soil and eventually both ground and surface water. That means living things everywhere — including the plants and animals that make up so much of the modern diet — are repeatedly exposed to these potentially toxic chemicals. Worse yet, PFAS can bioaccumulate or build up in fish and wildlife, meaning that they move quickly through the food chain.

Simply put, PFAS exposure has countless everyday sources:

• Drinking from any contaminated water system, including municipal and well water
• Eating plants grown with contaminated soil or water
• Eating animals that ate these plants or drank contaminated water
• Drinking milk from contaminated animals
• Eating anything transported or sold in certain kinds of packaging
• Touching PFAS-treated surfaces (like carpets) and then touching your mouth
• Inhaling contaminated air

You can also be exposed to these chemicals through skin contact alone, but uptake is slow and generally not considered significant.

Some types of exposure are more common for certain groups. For example, workers in certain types of environments  may be most likely to inhale contaminated air, while infants and toddlers often encounter PFAS through hand-to-mouth exposure or breastmilk.

What Are the Human Health Impacts?

PFAS chemicals can stay in the human body for years and can build up over time. While more research is needed to identify specific health effects and related levels of PFAS exposure, the current primary concern is around increased risks for multiple types of cancer. In addition, studies have indicated potential links to:

• Fertility issues
• Hormone disruption
• Liver disease
• Immune system dysfunction

Some issues may even affect pets — so it’s clear that PFAS contamination is relevant for everyone.

PFAS Regulations

It’s important to note that governments around the world are working on regulations to protect your drinking water. For example, the U.S. EPA announced guidelines in a PFAS action plan. The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality also establish an objective (but not a broad-based regulation) for PFAS in drinking water. 

What is the EPA Doing?

In April 2024, the U.S. EPA announced the first-ever national drinking water standards for “forever chemicals.” The rule pertains to two of the most widely used and studied compounds in the group, PFOA and PFOS, and to four additional PFAS and their mixtures.

Although the regulation originally required drinking water systems to implement PFAS reduction solutions by 2029, the EPA is now proposing to extend compliance deadlines to 2031 and initiate enhanced outreach to rural and small communities. The goal is to strike a balance between compliance challenges and public health, including reducing the burden on water systems, lowering water bill costs and holding polluters responsible.

Canadian Health Officials Finalize New Guidance for PFAS in Water

In 2024, Health Canada finalized its new objective for PFAS in drinking water. Unlike the U.S. EPA, Health Canada does not set federally enforceable drinking water standards; instead, it establishes health-based objectives that provinces and territories may choose to adopt.

The updated guidance recommends that the summed total of 25 specific PFAS should not exceed 30 nanograms per liter (ng/L) in drinking water. This list includes both well-known chemicals like PFOA and PFOS and other, lesser-known substances, with minimum reporting levels that align with the U.S. EPA’s requirements.

This approach replaces earlier guidelines that set individual limits for PFOS and PFOA. Instead of evaluating each chemical separately, water systems are now encouraged to assess the combined concentration of these compounds.

Testing for PFAS: Are There PFAS Chemicals in Your Water?

Because you can’t see, smell or taste PFAS chemicals, you’ll need to test your water to determine if any of these substances may be present.

For municipal water in the U.S., a good first step to take is to check your local Consumer Confidence Report, which is required to publish water testing results annually. However, not all local Consumer Confidence Reports include PFAS data yet. For more definitive results, another option is to order a PFAS water test kit. With this option, you follow the provided instructions and send your water sample in for laboratory testing. It’s best to partner with a local water specialist like Culligan to help interpret the results and find the right water treatment solution.

H2: Water Solutions for PFAS

If you’re concerned about exposure to PFAS chemicals, understanding how to protect your water supply is an important first step. Begin by exploring reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems for drinking water specifically. However, it’s important to know that not all RO systems are designed to address PFAS. You want to look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 for Total PFAS reduction.

Here’s why: While reverse osmosis membranes are highly effective at addressing a wide range of contaminants, they do not capture every type. That is why advanced RO systems such as Culligan’s Aquasential® Smart RO with Total Defense feature additional filtration stages designed to target PFAS and other challenging substances, including:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Pesticides
• Mercury
• Pharmaceuticals
• And more

With the extra layer of protection from the Total Defense filter, Culligan’s Aquasential RO is third-party certified to ANSI/NSF standards to reduce Total PFAS by more than 99.99%. 

 Whole House Filters for PFAS

While a reverse osmosis system typically goes under your sink to treat water from your kitchen faucet, systems like Culligan’s Aquasential® Whole Home PFAS Water Filter are installed where your water enters your home.

Unlike an RO system, which covers a broad range of potential water issues at a single tap, the whole home filter is purpose-built to address PFAS at the point of entry. That means all the water in your home is treated for PFAS — including the water you use for drinking, bathing, cleaning, laundry and more. Culligan’s Aquasential® Whole Home PFAS Filter is third-party certified to NSF/ANSI standards to reduce Total PFAS by more than 99%. 

What About Other Filters?

Not all filters can handle contaminants like PFAS. Some can’t even handle better-known substances like lead and pesticides.

For example, basic filters — like many standard pitcher and refrigerator models — often are designed to only address issues with water’s taste and odor, so aren’t a reliable solution for PFAS chemicals. These filters also don’t typically address the water you cook with, which can add PFAS exposure to your favorite meals. Generally speaking, these systems are a good temporary or simple solution, but you often can’t rely on them for anything more complicated than basic contaminants.

Are There Other Solutions?

For some contaminants, you can rely on DIY solutions like boiling water or letting it sit for a few hours. PFAS chemicals are more complicated; their carbon-fluorine bond makes them particularly strong and difficult to break down. Boiling water or letting it sit doesn’t remove PFAS — it can actually concentrate them. That’s why advanced filtration is key.

However, there are other ways to protect yourself from PFAS contamination outside of your drinking water, such as:

• Looking for PFAS-free labels on products
• Avoiding products like nonstick cookware and anything labeled stain- or water-resistant
• Leaving shoes outside to prevent bringing contaminated soil inside
• Avoiding eating fish from PFAS-contaminated areas
• Staying informed about PFAS regulations and drinking water health advisories

The Easy Path to Better Water

You don’t have to know everything about PFAS to avoid exposure, especially when it comes to your drinking water. All you have to do is call your local water expert for help.

You can start with a free water test to identify common contaminants. Your local expert will explain laboratory testing options for PFAS chemicals and other complex impurities. Once you have all the right information, your expert will help you choose the best water treatment system for your unique needs.

Ready to take the first step? Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation.