07 Nov Understanding PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment or in the human body.
They are found in many products, including:
- Clothing
- Carpets
- Non-stick cookware
- Food packaging
- Adhesives
- Fire-fighting foams
- Cosmetics
- Toilet paper
PFAS are toxic at very low levels and can lead to a number of health problems, including: Liver damage, Thyroid disease, Obesity, Fertility issues, Cancer, High cholesterol, Asthma, and Allergies.
PFAS are almost impossible to avoid and are present in the blood of people and animals around the world. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will require municipal water suppliers to virtually eliminate six different PFAS chemicals from drinking water.
The FDA is also testing foods to estimate how much PFAS consumers are exposed to through food. While there are some alternatives to PFAS, such as cast-iron or stainless-steel pans, it can take time to develop chemical substitutes.
But probably most alarming of all, PFAS can be found in our drinking water. USGS estimates that at least 45% of tap water contains forever chemicals—that’s both from public systems and private wells.
Forever-ish. These highly persistent chemicals take thousands of years to degrade. So unless you’re a glass sponge, one of the longest-living ocean creatures, PFAS outlast most species, including us humans.
Pentair is going to battle against PFAS. In response to growing concerns, Pentair launched an initial commercial PFOA/PFOS water solutions line.
Everpure PFOA/PFOS Reduction Systems and Cartridges work to specifically target forever chemicals, reducing levels to 20 parts per trillion. They also help reduce microplastics, lead, chlorine, and other particles to ensure the highest quality of water and taste profile.
There are three sizes of systems, with and without scale control. Flow rates range from 1.5 to 1.67 gpm, from 1000 gallons capacity all the way up to 10,000 gallons.
Here is a link to a brochure
Here is a link to a video exposing 3M to years of contamination.