Lately, you may have noticed a growing number of headlines concerning something found in our water supplies called PFAS (or ‘forever chemicals’). When seeing news like this, it can feel unsettling. Especially when water is so essential to our health and wellbeing.
Amid the worry, there is often a great deal of concern and confusion - which is where our experts come in. They're here to help to demystify your water worries and lay out the facts about PFAS (alongside other contaminants found in your water), providing you with the information needed to make an informed decision alongside some reassurance along the way!
Firstly, What are PFAS?
PFAS (also known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are used in the production of many common household and industrial products. They are extremely resistant to biodegradation, which means that they can take up to 1000 years to break down. Because of this, they are known as ‘forever chemicals’ and they can sometimes find their way into our water supplies.
Some of the more common household products you will find PFAS in are things like:
- None-stick frying pans
- Aerosols
- Fabric Protectors
- Stain Resistant Products
...And other similar items around your home.
It’s not just water supplies that PFAS can get into, though. They have also been found in air, dust and even food products such as eggs, meat, fish, milk, fruit and vegetables.
Where does PFAS in water come from?
PFAS in water can come from a range of different places. One of the main sources would be factories or industrial sites that handle the mass production of items such as none-stick frying pans, or water proof clothing. Due to the manufacturing process, some of the PFAs from the locations may be inadvertently directed into the environment. Another cause could be from Firefighting Foam (AFFF). Whilst firefighting foam has a massive benefit of saving lives during a fire, there is a great deal of waste from the foam that can soak into the ground and reach our water sources. The locations where this could be prevalent are places such as military bases, airports or fire training sites, where they are used not only for training but to also put out fuel fires.
Our landfill sites also play their part in leaking out PFAS into groundwater or nearby rivers and lakes. This is where we can make a personal impact by reducing the amount of PFAS related items we throw away – such as fast food wrappers, water proof clothing or cleaning products, as these are the culprits known for actively seeping out PFAS once in the landfill system.
It’s important to remember that even if the source of PFAS isn’t directly close to a singular place, it can break down into soil and travel into water supplies; staying in the environment for a very long time. Which is why we are seeing it more and more in our drinking water supplies globally.
So, does my drinking water have PFAS in it?
In the UK, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) sets guidance on PFAS limits in drinking water for England and Wales. The current acceptable level is 100 ng/L. However, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is calling for stricter regulations to further reduce this limit.
Recently, the BBC reviewed 23 enforcement notices issued by the DWI for elevated PFAS levels that could “constitute a potential danger to human health.” By analysing publicly available information, they estimated that at least six million people were affected across various water supply systems.
In reality, PFAS are present in much of the UK’s drinking water, although exceedances of regulatory limits are rare. When water suppliers do breach these limits, such cases account for only about 0.03% of overall non-compliance, meaning most drinking water in the UK remains within safety standards.
Can I check my tap water for PFAS at home?
It is not an easy or straightforward task to check for PFAS in your water at home. This is due to the lack of accurate tests available, or obvious indicators such as taste or smell. If you are concerned about the levels of PFAS though, you can look for an NSF certified lab online that you can send a sample to. NFS is a globally recognised authority that sets the standard for water safety and performance, so it is advised to see a lab certified to their standards for the most trusted analysis.
You can also check the water reports in your area. As each region is managed by a different water supply companies, they will all have slightly different sources of water and ways to process it. Many utilities are also now required to report PFAS levels.
What water filters remove PFAS in water?
To effectively remove PFAS from your water, there are only a few methods that have been proven to work:
- Activated Carbon Filters: Granular activated carbon (GAC) can adsorb PFAS, though performance varies by filter type and PFAS chain length.
- Reverse Osmosis: Highly effective at removing a wide range of PFAS but strips all minerals from the water that are essential for our bodies.
Here at Doulton, our British Berkefield Ultra Sterasyl system reduces 95% of PFOA & PFOS combined. Tested & Certified by NSF International (see test data here), the system uses gravity to filter the water slowly through, allowing for the forever chemicals to be reduced through the activated carbon.
Another solution is the Doulton DUO or TRIO under sink systems. Working alongside the Biotect Ultra filter, you can insert a specific PFAS reduction cartridge that can target concerns directly.
