PFAS, these chemical substances, omnipresent in our daily lives, pose an insidious danger to our health. Hidden in a multitude of products (phones, kitchen utensils, cosmetics), they infiltrate our lives, contaminating our water, air, and even our bodies.
But what risks do they pose to our well-being? How to manage and filter these compounds in household water? In this article, we will shed light on these invisible enemies.
What are PFAS?
Man-made, PFAS encompass over 4,700 widely used chemical products. They are artificial molecules known for their resistance to water, stains, and grease.
This very persistence is a source of concern, as PFAS degrade only very slowly in the environment and in our bodies. This is also why they are called forever chemicals.
Moreover, PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemical compounds are found in many common products. They are also sometimes found in drinking water.
Which products contain PFAS?
PFAS are hidden in a multitude of everyday objects, far beyond what we imagine! There are over 1400 PFAS used in more than 200 different applications.
Here are some areas of use:
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Electronics, plastics, and rubber: Production of components, cable insulation, etc.
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Paints and coatings: Non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant coatings.
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Personal care and cosmetic products: Creams, lotions, lipsticks, etc.
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Pesticides: Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides.
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Pharmaceutical products: Eye drops, some medications.
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Printing inks: Ink cartridges, toners.
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Sealants and adhesives: Glues, sealants.
In general, these eternal pollutants are used during the design of many tools in our daily lives to improve their resistance, durability, or performance. This is particularly true for:
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Mobile phone screens,
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Bicycle lubricants,
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Artificial grass,
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Climbing ropes,
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Contact lenses,
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Hand sanitizers,
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Mosquito repellents,
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Dental floss,
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Non-stick cooking utensils,
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Water-repellent outdoor jackets,
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Food packaging,
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Coatings of guitar strings and piano keys.
Moreover, PFAS can migrate from paper and plastic packaging, increasing our exposure and their danger to public health.
What are the transfer mechanisms and contamination pathways of PFAS in the drinking water?
Aside from the products we use, PFAS infiltrate our bodies through several sources, including food, water, air, and dust. They are found everywhere in Europe, including in France.
Air contamination is largely due to atmospheric deposits of PFAS from factories or other sources of air pollution. Here is what is known about food and water intended for consumption:
Transfer mechanisms of PFAS in food
Regarding food, fish and seafood are the main sources of PFAS. There are also high concentrations of PFAS in game offal. Other foods include meat, eggs, milk, fruits, and vegetables (especially roots).
Are you wondering how the contamination of food intended for consumption occurs? Here are the different pathways:
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Contamination of soils and waters: Crops can absorb PFAS present in the soil or irrigation water, thus contaminating fruits, vegetables, and grains. Soils become impregnated through accidental or intentional chemical spills.
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Bioaccumulation in animals: Livestock ingest PFAS through their food and water, leading to a concentration of these substances in their tissues. This contamination is then transmitted to humans through the consumption of animal products.
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Migration from packaging: Some food packaging, particularly those made from fluorine-based materials, can release PFAS into the foods they contain.
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Contact with contaminated equipment: Machines and utensils used for food processing can release PFAS, thus contaminating finished products.
PFAS contamination pathways in drinking water
The presence of PFAS in drinking water and tap water is explained by the fact that these forever chemicals can infiltrate the soil. They then contaminate rivers and lakes, ultimately polluting our groundwater.
The severity of contamination depends on the nature of PFAS and the characteristics of the soil. The longer the carbon chain of the PFAS and the richer the soil is in organic matter, the greater the contamination.
Furthermore, studies have revealed the presence of PFAS in drinking water in many regions of the world. This is why it is important to understand the potential sources of contamination and to implement adequate health control and monitoring measures.
How do PFAS impact health?
Most studied forever chemicals are moderately to highly toxic, especially for child development. However, the most affected groups are those with high levels of exposure, and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Here are the four main identified dangers:
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Decrease in immune response to vaccines: PFAS could weaken our immune system, reducing the effectiveness of certain vaccines.
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Blood lipid imbalance: PFAS exposure is associated with increased cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
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Lower birth weight: Studies suggest that pregnant women exposed to PFAS may give birth to smaller babies.
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Increased risk of kidney cancer: Links have been established between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer. Other types of cancer may also be involved.
According to regional public health agencies (such as the European Environment Agency), PFAS can also cause liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, and fertility problems.
What are the regulatory and mitigation measures for PFAS?
Around the world, many measures are being taken to protect public health and the environment from PFAS by strengthening regulation.
For example, the European Union has adopted several regulatory measures to limit the use and exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Notably, the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals) can be mentioned.
The latter imposes restrictions on PFCAs and proposes additional restrictions on PFHxS, PFHxA, and PFAS used in firefighting foams. Two groups of PFAS (GenX and PFBS) are already classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC). Other regulations also contribute to limiting exposure to PFAS, such as:
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the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs),
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the CLP regulation (Classification, labeling and packaging of chemical substances),
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the European drinking water directive.
How to manage and filter PFAS in household water?
The presence of PFAS in domestic water raises concerns for human health due to their potential harmful effects. Fortunately, you can take steps to manage and filter these compounds, thereby preserving your family's health.
Detection of PFAS in household water
The Walloon Water Company (SWDE) and Vivaqua they offer you online tools to check the quality of the water at your home. To obtain a complete and downloadable PDF report of the PFAS analyses conducted over the last 12 months, you just need to enter your postal code, your street, and your number. American researchers have also developed a prototype to detect PFAS in water. You just need to place a drop of water on a special strip. As the water moves along the strip, it encounters a chemical that changes color if it detects PFAS.
This simple and quick test identifies two common PFAS (PFOA and PFBA) at concentrations close to the European limits for drinking water. It should be noted that U.S. legislation is stricter, with lower thresholds for these substances. In Europe, limits are revised based on scientific discoveries, and some countries like Denmark have already adopted stricter standards.
Installation of effective filters against PFAS and best practices
Activated carbon filters are the most accessible solution for capturing chemical pollutants like PFAS present in your water. Those included in our Weeplow filtration systems can remove up to 99.999% of harmful contaminants. Indeed, there are different models of activated carbon filters:
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Granular activated carbon filters: These filters, filled with activated carbon granules, act as traps for PFAS when water passes through them.
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Powdered activated carbon filters: They follow the same principle as granular filters, but with powdered activated carbon.
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Impregnated activated carbon: Even more effective, this activated carbon is enriched with molecules that specifically attract PFAS, for maximum capture.
For effective filtration, make sure to maintain and regularly replace your filters according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Protect yourself from the invisible threat of PFAS starting today!
PFAS are artificial molecules valued in factories for their resistance to water, stains, and grease. It's easier to understand why they are used in over 200 different applications. While it is more difficult to avoid contamination from food, air, and dust, you can still take action regarding your water. You should pay particular attention to protecting the most vulnerable members of your family, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Start today to take steps to manage and filter these harmful compounds in your water, in order to protect your health and that of your loved ones. At Weeplow, we specialize in gravity water filtration systems. Browseour online store to find the right water protection system for your needs.
