3 ways to reduce PFAS from your drinking water and why you should

Written by

06 November 2024

•

4 min read

ArchiPro speaks with Puretec, a water filtration specialist, about PFAS in Australia, how they impact our health and the top three ways to reduce PFAS at home.

Scott Marshall from water filtration company, Puretec.

What are PFAS?

PFAS is an umbrella term for thousands of artificial chemicals accumulating in our environment, food, and water since the 1940s. Commonly known as forever chemicals, PFAS have earned the unsettling nickname for a good reason: they don’t break down easily, and once they enter the human body, they remain there for years.

"PFAS include chemicals like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid),” says Scott Marshall from Puretec, an Australian water filtration company. “These chemicals are used in items that need to withstand high heat or provide waterproofing – things like non-stick frying pans, firefighting foam, and waterproof rain jackets.”

According to Scott, although PFAS exposure can come from various sources—including food, personal care products, and industrial materials—the most concerning route is through contaminated drinking water.

Why are PFAS so dangerous?

Although PFAS have been in use for over 80 years, only limited research has been done on the effects on human health—until now. Recent studies are shedding light on just how dangerous these chemicals are. A recent study published in April this year linked PFAS exposure to an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease and specific cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer. Exposure has also been linked to birth defects, developmental delays in children, and disruptions to thyroid and insulin regulation.*

The World Health Organization has since classified PFAS as a known carcinogenic.

Should you be concerned with PFAS in Australia's drinking water?

In Australia, the guidelines for PFAS levels in drinking water are alarmingly higher than those in other countries, with Australia's guidelines now 140 times higher than those of the United States.

Recent research in Italy has shown a link between PFAS and cancer, which has led the United States to lower the allowable PFOA level in drinking water to four parts per trillion. In Australia, the limit is 560 parts per trillion, so the question has been raised about why our levels are so much higher?

"PFAS contamination is a growing concern,” remarks Scott. “It’s one of the fastest-growing Google searches right now – people want to know how to reduce PFAS in their water. Over the last four days, almost everyone I've talked to has asked me about it – It's something people are becoming very aware of."

The top 3 ways to reduce PFAS from your water at home

Although PFAS are impossible to avoid entirely, the good news is that there are effective ways to filter them out of your water. Puretec offers a range of products that can significantly reduce PFAS levels in the home’s water supply.

1. Point-of-use (POU) systems

POU systems filter water at specific locations within the home, such as under-sink filters or countertop filtration units.

Activated carbon filters are particularly effective at trapping PFAS, and reverse osmosis membranes provide the highest level of filtration, reducing these chemicals to safe levels.

2. Point-of-entry (POE) systems

POE systems treat water entering your home, ensuring that every drop of water used for drinking, bathing and cooking is filtered. This whole-house approach is ideal for families concerned about prolonged exposure through showering, cleaning or cooking.

It's worth noting that PFAS can also be absorbed through the skin, making it just as important to filter the water used for bathing as for drinking.

3. Fridge filters

Though fridge filters do offer some protection, the limited amount of activated carbon may not be enough to substantially reduce PFAS.

For those concerned about contamination, more robust solutions like carbon block cartridges or reverse osmosis systems are strongly recommended.

Why activated carbon and reverse osmosis?

Activated carbon filters adsorb contaminants, including PFAS, as water passes through the filter. These filters effectively remove chlorine, sediment, and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it’s critical to replace the carbon filters regularly.

“For the highest level of filtration, reverse osmosis membranes are recommended. Although reverse osmosis systems tend to slow water flow and waste some water in the filtration process, they can reduce PFAS levels by up to 90 per cent. Combined with a storage tank, these systems offer a practical, long-term solution to ensuring your drinking water is as clean and safe as possible.”

By investing in high-quality filtration systems like those offered by Puretec, you can take control of your family’s health and ensure that your water has significantly reduced levels of harmful chemicals.

“It’s important to find practical ways to reduce exposure, whether that’s through whole-house filtration systems or more basic solutions like fridge filters.”

Learn more about reducing PFAS in your home by contacting Puretec on ArchiPro today.

*Biggeri, A., Stoppa, G., Facciolo, L. et al. All-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality in the population of a large Italian area contaminated by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (1980–2018). Environ Health 23, 42 (2024).

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