What’s in Your Water: PFAS/Forever Chemicals
Hi from SOURCE! This blog article is Part I in our “What’s in Your Water?” series, which dives into some of the common contaminants in drinking water around the U.S. In this dispatch, we discuss PFAS–“forever chemicals”–and how they affect smaller communities in the U.S. Stay tuned to our blog for future articles about other contaminants, such as heavy metals, biological pollutants, and more.
You might have heard about the toxic “forever chemicals” that lurk in the coating of your non-stick pan. A class of stubborn compounds that hang around almost indefinitely, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (known commonly as PFAS) can wreak havoc on living systems. The growing awareness of forever chemicals has caused many people to rethink their cookware and be more discerning about the products they bring into their homes. But unfortunately, trading in your Teflon for cast iron isn’t enough to protect your family from PFAS contamination when they’re also floating around in our drinking water.
Those of us who live in “rural” zip codes can sometimes think that this type of industrial pollutant isn’t something we need to be overly concerned about. The hard fact of the matter, however, is that PFAS contamination in drinking water is a widespread problem, and it can particularly affect those who rely on smaller municipal water sources or private wells.
As part of an ongoing investigation into how water contamination impacts our communities, we’re explaining what PFAS are, exposure risks, how they contaminate sources of hydration, and how you can protect your household from consuming PFAS in your drinking water. Keep reading to learn how SOURCE is helping people combat PFAS contamination in smaller communities in the Southwest.
What are Forever Chemicals?
First, let’s get the heavy science out of the way. PFAS are human-made chemicals resistant to heat, water, and oil. Because of this, companies frequently use them in packaging materials (like takeout containers), water- or stain-resistant textiles, cleaning products, and more. The most common compounds are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS.) As these are also highly resistant to environmental breakdown, PFAS tend to stick around and build up in organisms, soil, and water over time, which earned them the nickname “forever” chemicals.
While these chemicals are valuable in manufacturing, they come with a heavy toll with chronic exposure, especially when ingested. Since they accumulate in living organisms over time, the more PFAS exposure, the worse for the body. Research is still growing in this area, but studies link PFAS to an increased likelihood of kidney and testicular cancers, and they can interfere with fertility, cholesterol, and the body’s natural immune defenses. The potential health impact of forever chemicals emphasizes why it’s important to understand the risk for you and your household when it comes to your source of drinking water.
How Did They Get in Your Tap/Well?
According to Environmental Protection Agency data published earlier this year, 70 million people around the country have drinking water that tested positive for PFAS contamination. This number includes municipal services but doesn’t include private wells that can still have unhealthy levels of PFAS due to nearby pollution.
How do these toxic compounds get into our water, you ask? Regardless of where you live or how remote your residence is, the source of your drinking water–whether well or municipal supply–may be vulnerable to PFAS contamination. Here are some of the most common ways forever chemicals pollute water supplies:
Sidenote: the 2019 film Dark Waters, starring Mark Ruffalo, tells the story of how DuPont’s intentional dumping of PFOA chemicals impacted the health of a West Virginia community and its livestock, leading to increased regulation of these dangerous substances. Give it a watch if you’re interested.
As such, the most common places for high levels of PFAS exposure are those near military bases, industrial facilities, farms, landfills, and airports. Even those of us who live out and away from town may be near one or more of these PFAS-heavy sites. And since these are forever chemicals, it’s important to remember that pollution events decades ago from firefighting, industry, or farming practices may still be making your drinking water less than ideal for your family’s health.
“PFAS is a serious threat to rural communities,” said Erick Orellana, Senior Policy Advisor for Community Water Center in Tulare County in California. Smaller, rural, or agricultural communities, like those in California’s farming belt, often face high PFAS levels in our water but can sometimes lack adequate testing or remediation. It’s a problem that will only continue to make small-town water more challenging in generations to come.
What You Can Do to Reduce PFAS Exposure from Your Water
If you’re interested in seeing if your home is located near a documented PFAS site, you can use the Environmental Working Group’s interactive map, which is viewable here.
However, as mentioned, many of us living away from dense population centers may still unknowingly consume toxic chemicals every time we go for a drink, whether from local tap water or a well, even if it’s not documented or currently studied. In places where water testing is limited, preventing contamination is key.
How do you ensure your family’s water is free of these forever chemicals? The best approach is to sidestep using local or well water for consumption entirely. There is always the option of buying bottled water, but SOURCE Hydropanel is a sustainable, long-term solution to prevent any PFAS contamination in the source of your household’s water: no plastic bottles required.
Hydropanel technology captures drinking water that is pure from the air, free of any trace pollutants, including PFAS. SOURCE is currently working across the U.S. in places like California, Arizona, and Texas to help local community members circumvent issues of local pollution that frequently include forever chemicals. Since SOURCE technology is 100 percent off-grid, it can deploy virtually anywhere, making it a surefire way to ensure the water you consume is healthy for you and your family. For those of us who live remotely or in small communities with suspicious water quality, SOURCE is a forward-thinking investment so you can trust the quality of your drinking water for years to come.
The good news is that you don’t have to worry about PFAS when your drinking water is coming directly out of the air. To learn more about the Hydropanel solution, head to our website and see how SOURCE can give you and your family peace of mind when it comes to these nasty forever chemicals in our drinking water.