The Invisible Threat: Everything You Need to Know About PFAS in Our Drinking Water

PFAS, these man-made chemicals found throughout modern life, represent a hidden threat to our health. Present in countless products such as phones, cookware and cosmetics, they seep into daily life by contaminating our water, our air and even our bodies.

But what risks do they pose to wellbeing? How can households manage and filter these compounds from domestic water? In this article, we lift the lid on these invisible pollutants.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS are a family of more than 4,700 synthetic chemicals widely used by industry. They are valued for their resistance to water, stains and grease.

This very persistence is what causes concern, because PFAS break down extremely slowly in the environment and in the human body. That is why they are often called forever chemicals.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These compounds are present in many everyday products and can also be found in drinking water.

Which Products Contain PFAS?

PFAS are hidden in far more everyday objects than most people realise. More than 1,400 PFAS are used across over 200 different applications.

Common uses include:

• Electronics, plastics and rubber: components, cable insulation and specialist materials.
• Paints and coatings: non-stick, waterproof and stain-resistant surfaces.
• Personal care and cosmetics: creams, lotions, lipstick and related products.
• Pesticides: insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
• Pharmaceutical products: eye drops and certain medicines.
• Printing inks: cartridges and toners.
• Sealants and adhesives: glues and waterproof mastics.

PFAS are also used in products designed for durability or performance, including:

• mobile phone screens,
• bike lubricants,
• artificial grass,
• climbing ropes,
• contact lenses,
• hand sanitisers,
• mosquito-control products,
• dental floss,
• non-stick cookware,
• water-repellent outdoor jackets,
• food packaging,
• coatings on guitar strings and piano keys.

PFAS may also migrate from paper or plastic packaging into food, increasing exposure and raising wider public health concerns.

How Do PFAS Enter Public Water Supplies?

Beyond household products, PFAS can enter the body through food, water, air and dust. They are found across Europe, including France.

Air contamination is often linked to atmospheric deposits from factories and other industrial sources. Food and water contamination follow several routes.

How PFAS Enter Food

Fish and seafood are among the main dietary sources of PFAS. Higher levels have also been identified in game offal. Other foods may include meat, eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables, particularly root vegetables.

Main contamination routes include:

• Soil and water contamination: crops can absorb PFAS from soil or irrigation water.
• Bioaccumulation in animals: livestock ingest PFAS through feed and water, concentrating them in tissues later consumed by humans.
• Migration from packaging: some food packaging made with fluorinated materials can release PFAS into food.
• Contaminated processing equipment: machinery and utensils may transfer PFAS to finished products.

How PFAS Enter Drinking Water

PFAS can seep into soil, contaminate rivers and lakes, and eventually pollute groundwater reserves. They may then enter tap water supplies.

The severity of contamination depends on the type of PFAS involved and soil characteristics. Longer carbon-chain PFAS and soils rich in organic matter may increase persistence and retention.

Studies have identified PFAS in drinking water in many regions of the world. This makes monitoring, treatment and source control increasingly important.

How Do PFAS Affect Health?

Many of the best-studied PFAS are considered moderately to highly toxic, particularly during child development. The highest risks are generally linked to elevated exposure and vulnerable groups such as children and older adults.

Four commonly discussed health concerns include:

1. Reduced vaccine response: PFAS may weaken aspects of immune function.
2. Disrupted blood lipids: exposure has been associated with higher cholesterol, a cardiovascular risk factor.
3. Lower birth weight: some studies suggest links between maternal exposure and smaller babies at birth.
4. Higher kidney cancer risk: links have been reported between certain PFAS and kidney cancer, with possible concern for other cancers.

According to public health agencies such as the European Environment Agency, PFAS exposure has also been associated with liver effects, thyroid disease, obesity and fertility problems.

What Regulations Exist to Limit PFAS?

Many countries are introducing measures to protect public health and the environment by tightening PFAS regulation.

The European Union has adopted several controls, notably under the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).

This framework has already introduced restrictions on certain PFAS groups and proposed additional limits on compounds such as PFHxS, PFHxA and PFAS used in firefighting foams. Some compounds, including GenX and PFBS, have been classified as substances of very high concern.

Other frameworks helping to limit exposure include:

• the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
• the CLP Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging,
• the European Drinking Water Directive.

How Can You Manage and Filter PFAS at Home?

The presence of PFAS in domestic water raises understandable concerns. Fortunately, practical steps can help reduce exposure and better protect your household.

Checking PFAS in Household Water

Some water utilities provide online tools to check local water quality. In parts of Belgium, for example, SWDE and Vivaqua publish accessible information. Similar services may exist in your area.

Researchers have also developed rapid test prototypes for detecting certain PFAS in water. These are promising, though not yet standard household tools.

Effective Filters and Good Practice

Activated carbon filters are among the most accessible options for reducing chemical pollutants such as PFAS in household water. Those used in Weeplow filtration systems are designed to help reduce harmful contaminants.

Common activated carbon filter types include:

• Granular activated carbon: water passes through carbon granules that trap pollutants.
• Powdered activated carbon: similar principle using finer carbon particles.
• Enhanced or impregnated carbon: treated to improve attraction to specific compounds.

For effective filtration, always maintain and replace filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Protect Yourself from the Invisible Threat of PFAS

PFAS are artificial chemicals valued for resistance to water, grease and stains, which explains their widespread use. While it is harder to avoid exposure through food, air and dust, you can take practical action with the water you drink.

Particular attention should be given to protecting more vulnerable family members, including children, pregnant women and older adults.

Start taking steps today to manage and filter these unwanted compounds from your water. At Weeplow, we specialise in gravity-fed water filtration systems. Browse our online shop to find the solution best suited to your household.