Guarding Your Health: Tackling PFAS Contamination with Berkey Water Filters

Curious about the complex world of PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS chemicals? Want to understand their impact on your health and whether your trusty Berkey water filter can effectively remove them? Let's dive into these frequently asked questions and unravel the mystery.

Do Berkey Water Filters Kick PFAS to the Curb?

Absolutely! The Berkey water filter doesn't shy away from PFAS - chemicals that fall under the PFC (Perfluorinated Chemicals) umbrella, including PFOA, PFOS, and more. The Black Berkey elements that are a standard feature of our filters knock out these contaminants by over 99.9%. 

What Exactly are PFAS?

PFAS is short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances - synthetic chemicals that are key ingredients in manufacturing countless household and industrial products. These include non-stick cookware (think Teflon), food packaging, water- and stain-resistant materials (like Scotchguard), wax, polish, paint, and even fire-fighting foam - a major contributor to PFAS groundwater contamination at military bases and airports where fire-fighting drills take place.

What's the Deal with PFOS and PFOA?

PFOS and PFOA are two of the most notorious members of the PFAS chemical family, produced in the United States and globally since the 1940s.

Is PFOA the Same as PFOS? What's Their Difference?

Although PFOA and PFOS are both C8 fluorinated organic compounds, meaning they have 8 carbon molecules in their structure, they are two distinct entities: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). While their water and lipid resistance make them ideal for use in products, this also means they do not break down easily, persisting in the environment and bioaccumulating in animals, including humans, exposed to them.

How Do PFAS Sneak into Our Water?

PFAS chemicals infiltrate our water sources through various avenues. Fire-fighting foam used in training exercises at military bases and airports has led to lasting contamination of soils and groundwater near these sites. Although the use of these chemicals has been banned or is being phased out, groundwater contamination is expected to continue for years.

PFAS can also hitch a ride in airborne dust particles released from factory chimneys and contaminated sludge dumped at landfills. This was the case with DuPont, the manufacturers of Teflon, who were sued for polluting the local water supply of Parkersburg, West Virginia. DuPont eventually agreed to a US$671 million settlement with the affected residents. However, lawsuits against DuPont, 3M, and other companies responsible for PFAS contamination continue to pile up.

Where Do PFOA and PFOS Lurk? What's the Exposure Route?

Americans encounter PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS chemicals through multiple channels. Drinking water is a significant concern, but these chemicals are also found in the food we consume, the packaging it comes in, a wide range of household products, and even airborne dust and fumes containing PFAS. Their persistence in animals such as fish and their accumulation in body tissue over time make dietary exposure another crucial source.

How Widespread is PFAS Contamination?

Testing of drinking water supplies by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in collaboration with Northeastern University scientists revealed over 700 sites across 49 states with PFAS contamination, affecting over 16 million Americans. However, the EWG estimates the number of people exposed to PFAS in drinking water could be as high as 110 million.

Are the PFOS and PFOA twins? What distinguishes PFOS from PFOA?

PFOS and PFOA, two prominent members of the PFAS family, may seem like identical twins at first glance, both boasting eight carbon atoms in their composition. However, they are distinctive entities with unique chemical identities—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Their water and lipid resistance properties make them invaluable in various applications. The downside, however, is their persistence, not only in the environment but also in animals and humans exposed to them, lingering far longer than desirable.

Where do PFOA and PFOS lurk? What are the main exposure routes?

Americans risk exposure to PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS chemicals via various channels. Drinking water is a major concern, but these chemicals also stealthily invade our lives through the food we consume, food packaging, and an array of household products containing these chemicals. Even household dust and airborne fumes can carry PFAS. Foods, especially those from animals like fish where these chemicals can accumulate, could be a significant exposure source. PFOA and PFOS contamination in drinking water, in particular, is a significant source, requiring regulation to decrease exposure levels. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) advocates that drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS should consider ongoing exposure from food and other sources.

How do PFAS infiltrate our water?

PFAS chemicals find their way into water sources via several routes. Firefighting foam, used extensively in training exercises at military bases and airports, has left a lasting legacy of soil and groundwater contamination near these sites. These chemicals, once unleashed, are tenacious, refusing to break down and persisting in the environment. This means that, despite efforts to ban or phase out these chemicals, groundwater contamination is likely to continue for many years.

PFAS can also hitch a ride on airborne dust particles spewed out from factory chimneys and in contaminated sludge dumped at landfills. One notable case involved DuPont, the manufacturers of Teflon, who were held accountable for polluting the local water supply of Parkersburg, West Virginia. This resulted in a lawsuit and a subsequent US$671 million settlement with affected local residents and communities. However, the lawsuits against DuPont, 3M, and other companies responsible for PFAS contamination continue to mount, with new litigants from New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.

Are PFOA's toxic? How does PFOA affect human health?

PFOA and PFOS pose significant health concerns. Studies link exposure to these chemicals with increased cholesterol levels, immune system disruptions, low infant birth weights, thyroid hormone disruption (PFOS), and an elevated cancer risk (PFOA). Animal studies further reveal that PFOS and PFOA negatively impact reproduction, development, liver, kidneys, and the immune system, and they also increase the risk of tumors.

The EWG warns that the entire PFAS chemical group, consisting of over 3000 chemicals, poses significant health risks, even at low exposure levels. These can include endocrine and immune system disruptions, liver damage, thyroid changes, and an increased cancer risk.

How extensive is PFAS contamination?

PFAS contamination is a widespread problem across the US. Environmental Working Group (EWG) and scientists from Northeastern University in Massachusetts have discovered over 700 sites across 49 states with drinking water serving over 16 million Americans contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The EWG estimates, however, that the actual number of consumers exposed to PFAS in drinking water could be as high as 110 million people.

How long do PFAS linger in your system?

chemicals are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because of their extreme persistence both in the environment and in living organisms. Once they've made their way into the body, they can take many years to leave. The half-life (the time it takes for half of the chemical to leave the body) of PFOS is estimated to be around 5.4 years, while PFOA has a half-life of about 3.8 years. However, these are estimates and can vary depending on individual factors such as age, gender, diet, and overall health.

What is being done to mitigate PFAS exposure?

There are ongoing efforts at various levels to address the PFAS contamination issue. Some of these efforts include:

1. Regulation: Regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. have set health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. However, these are non-enforceable and non-regulatory, prompting many experts and advocacy groups to call for stricter, enforceable limits.

2. Research: Extensive research is being conducted to better understand the health impacts of PFAS exposure and to develop more effective methods for PFAS detection, removal, and destruction.

3. Litigation: Legal action has been taken against some of the major manufacturers of PFAS chemicals, leading to hefty settlements and increased public awareness about the issue.

4. Community Action: Grassroots organizations and community groups are playing a critical role in drawing attention to the issue and demanding action from policymakers and corporations.

5. Technology Development: Innovation in water treatment technology is being pursued to effectively remove these chemicals from water. The most common methods currently used are granular activated carbon (GAC) filters and high-pressure membranes like nanofiltration or reverse osmosis.

Despite these efforts, there's a consensus among scientists and environmental advocates that much more needs to be done to tackle this pervasive problem effectively.

Can you reduce your exposure to PFAS?

While it's impossible to completely avoid PFAS given their widespread presence, there are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure:

1. Check Your Water: If you live in an area known to have PFAS contamination, consider getting your water tested. Some states offer free testing for residents.

2. Use a Filter: Consider investing in a water filter that is certified to remove PFAS.

3. Avoid Certain Products: Try to avoid products that may contain PFAS, such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and furniture, and certain types of water and stain-resistant clothing.

4. Choose Safer Food Packaging: Avoid microwave popcorn and takeout containers, as these can often contain PFAS. Instead, opt for glass or stainless steel containers for food storage.

5. Stay Informed: Follow updates from regulatory agencies and environmental groups to stay informed about new developments related to PFAS.