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Chemists developed PFAS in the 1930s to create nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, grease-resistant food packaging, and stain-resistant carpets. However, recent studies have linked these “forever chemicals” to numerous health risks, including thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage, cancer, and more.
PFAS—perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are now present in the blood of most Americans and many drinking water systems. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized enforceable federal limits for six types of PFAS in April 2024. These limits are so stringent that they equate to less than a drop of water in a thousand Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Meeting these new limits will be challenging and costly, as PFAS cannot easily or cheaply be destroyed once filtered out of the water. My team at the University of Notre Dame is working on developing technologies to remove PFAS from drinking water and manage PFAS waste responsibly.
Removing PFAS Costs Billions per Year
The EPA is required every five years to choose 30 unregulated contaminants for monitoring in public drinking water systems. Currently, 29 of those 30 are PFAS. The agency has tested over 22,500 samples from about 3,800 out of the 154,000 public water systems in the U.S., with 22% exceeding new standards.
East Coast states have the highest percentage of systems with PFAS levels exceeding new EPA standards. Under these rules, public water systems must monitor for PFAS and install treatment systems by 2029 if they exceed limits. The EPA estimates compliance will cost about $1.5 billion per year, but other estimates suggest costs could be significantly higher.
Challenges in Removing PFAS
PFAS removal is a significant challenge with high costs and limited treatment options. There are over 5,000 PFAS chemicals, yet few have been studied for toxicity or tested in drinking water. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that nearly half of all tap water is contaminated with PFAS.
Some money will come from the federal government and from companies like 3M and DuPont. For example, 3M agreed to pay between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion to help public water systems with testing and treatment costs. However, additional costs will be passed on to residents.
Disposing of PFAS
The captured PFAS need disposal, but landfills are not ideal as they push the problem to future generations. PFAS are notoriously stable and don’t break down naturally, making them difficult to destroy. Incineration requires temperatures over 1,800°F (1,000°C) and may produce harmful byproducts that aren’t well understood yet.
Other technologies like supercritical water oxidation or plasma reactors also face similar challenges of high costs and potential new hazards. Therefore, managing PFAS waste remains a significant challenge with no clear solution in sight.
Steps to Protect Your Home from PFAS
To protect your home from PFAS, consider the following technologies:
- Activated carbon is similar to charcoal and can capture PFAS. Many refrigerator filters use this technology, but not all are certified for PFAS removal.
- Ion exchange resin, found in many home water softeners, captures PFAS from the water. This technology works well in pitcher filters or whole house systems, though it is expensive.
- Reverse osmosis uses a membrane to block PFAS while allowing water and some other compounds to pass through. It is effective for kitchen sink installations but not suitable for entire home treatment due to cost.
If you have a private well, testing it for PFAS can be expensive, with costs ranging from $300 to $600 per sample. Make sure any water treatment device you choose is certified by a reputable agency like NSF and follow maintenance instructions carefully. No current method fully removes all PFAS down to safe levels, but some filtration is better than none.
The EPA has designated PFOA and PFOS as eligible for Superfund status, meaning responsible companies may be required to pay for cleanup. However, wastewater treatment plants and public landfills are not in the EPA’s scope of enforcement.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” pose significant health risks and are widespread in water systems across the U.S. Removing them will cost billions per year and is challenging due to their resilience. Capturing PFAS through technologies like activated carbon, ion exchange resin, or reverse osmosis can reduce levels in your drinking water.
Even bottled water may contain PFAS, so relying on home filtration methods that mimic treatment facility technologies is recommended. Common options include refrigerator filters with activated carbon, pitcher filters with ion exchange resin, and under-sink reverse osmosis systems. Whole-house systems are expensive but effective for capturing PFAS.
For private well owners, testing for PFAS can be costly, leaving many unaware of potential contamination. The best approach is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory and then choose an appropriate treatment method based on the results. Always ensure that any device you use is certified for PFAS removal by a reputable agency and follow maintenance instructions carefully.
Overall, while completely eliminating PFAS from home drinking water is difficult due to their persistence, using filtration methods can significantly reduce exposure.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
What significant action did the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take in April 2024 regarding PFAS?
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