While concerns about chemical and biological contaminants like MTBE, lead and other heavy metals, and microbial cysts remain significant for most home and business owners, there is a new class of contaminants that is gaining a bit of press time.
You may have heard of them referred to as “forever” chemicals, and some experts are up in arms about the need to regulate them.
Here’s what you should know from a very high level and what you can do about the risks associated with them.
What Are They? Where Do They Come from?
So-called “forever” chemicals belong to a class of manmade chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also referred to as PFOS and PFOA.
These chemicals are commonly found in consumer goods such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, grease-resistant food packaging.
They are variously used to make products waterproof, grease-resistant, non-stick, or resistant to staining, and are used in such applications as disposable trays, popcorn bags, and even non-stick pans.
Unfortunately, they are impossible to avoid as they are so widely used.
How Do They Get in Water?
There’s not one single source by which these forever chemicals can get into drinking water, but some accepted origins include industrial pollution and percolation into groundwater after firefighting crews use materials containing them to combat fire.
PFOS and PFOA can also contaminate groundwater by leaching into it through disposal sites and landfills.
Why Are They Called Forever Chemicals?
The unfortunate reality of “forever” chemicals is that the same traits that give them their stick, stain, grease, and water resistance also make them very stable compounds.
They are very difficult, almost impossible to destroy through conventional methods, though they can be destroyed with heat. Worst of all, they are also extremely persistent in the environment and can last for thousands of years.
What’s the Main Concern?
There are two primary concerns associated with these chemicals. One is that so many different types are being used and that there are currently no regulations in place requiring manufacturers to disclose when, where, and how they are being used in consumer goods. The EPA also does not regulate or even test for most of them.
The other, and chief, concern regarding these forever chemicals has to do with health. Exposure to PFOS and PFOA is believed to increase the risk of cancer and can cause or exacerbate high-cholesterol, asthma, and allergies.
Forever chemicals are also believed to cause liver damage and decrease fertility. They may also be implicated in a variety of birth defects as well.
Install an Everpure H1200 in Your Home
While the use of PFOS and PFOA is not currently regulated, and they are persistent pollutants that last for thousands of years, one small step you can take towards protecting yourself and your family is installing a water filter system rated to remove some of these chemicals.
Some models, like Everpure H1200 systems, are rated to reduce PFOS and PFOA chemicals by up to 97.5%, and are easy to install and maintain. They represent a practical and affordable safeguard for homeowners looking to reduce the concentration of contaminants in their drinking water supply.
For more information on Everpure H1200 systems, as well as specification sheets, visit efilters.net.