How to remove PFAS in your water with water filtration
Also known as 'forever chemicals', PFAS is the collective term for thousands of PFOA and PFOS man-made chemicals, which are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. PFAS are commonly used in non-stick cooking items, water-resistant clothing and firefighting foams, and have been bioaccumulating in the environment since the 1940s. Although limited studies have been conducted on their effects on humans, the World Health Organisation has recently classified them as carcinogenic to humans.
Some types of PFAS have been linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid and insulin problems, negative changes to the immune system, birth defects, delayed development in children, and other health issues. The latest research (April 2024) is now implying that PFAS chemicals "raise mortality from cardiovascular disease (in particular, heart diseases and ischemic heart disease) and malignant neoplastic diseases, including kidney cancer and testicular cancer."
In April 2024, the US EPA announced new guideline levels for 4 PFAS chemicals. Comparison with the 2017 Australian Guidelines indicate that "safe levels" are 140 times higher than the new US guidelines (and 1,250 times lower than the Australian 2016 guidelines)
Dr. Nicholas Chartres, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney, noted that the U.S. standards for PFAS are "many magnitudes lower than the current level that we have in Australia." While he acknowledged that water filters can help remove PFAS levels, he also mentioned the potential health risks associated with using bottled water as an alternative.
Dr. Lloyd-Smith also noted that PFAS exposure isn't limited to drinking water; it can also come from food, personal care products, and industrial goods like paints and pesticides. To mitigate risks, Australians are advised to use water filters where possible.
Early studies have suggested that PFOA is dermally absorbed (absorbed through the skin) and that under certain conditions, the skin may be a significant route of exposure (Franko et al., 2012). Unfortunately, most studies have ignored dermal PFOA exposure in their investigations, due to the assumption that it is not well absorbed by the skin.
Filters with activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes have proven effective in removing PFAS from water supplies. Regular replacement of the carbon filter is also critical in ensuring maximum effectiveness of the cartridge, and avoiding the risk of exposure.
There are two primary types of home water treatment systems that remove PFAS:
1. Point-of-Use (POU) Systems:These treat water at a specific location, like an undersink filter, or reverse osmosis unit.
2. Point-of-Entry (POE) Systems:These are installed where water enters the home, treating all the water used for drinking, bathing, and other household activities. Puretec offers a range of solutions that can be used to remove the levels of PFAS present, below is a set of recommendations.
Good option for reducing PFAS from your water
Any PFAS reduction system should start with a whole house water filter to remove the amount of PFAS chemicals in your water before it enters your home. PFAS chemicals can enter your body through drinking water or can be absorbed through the skin by coming in to contact with water in a shower or bath or even through washing your hands. A whole house filter like the FilterWall F Series will help to remove exposure from both perspectives. The FilterWall F series includes a large carbon filter that will absorb PFAS along with other chemicals including chlorine. The Freestanding filter system is installed after your mains water meter, typically in the garden ensuring all water is filtered before entering the home. The FilterWall F series is available in 9 colour options to match into your existing colour scheme or to add a pop of colour.
Recommendation: FilterWall™ F5 or FilterWall™ F6
*Vibrant colours available in F5 & F6 models.
Better option for reducing PFAS from your water
As more PFAS is absorbed into the body through drinking water, a better option is to add a second layer of carbon filtration under your kitchen sink to follow the FilterWall F series whole house filter. The Puremix-Z7 is the recommended option and includes a carbon layer to further absorb more of the PFAS chemicals. The Puremix-Z7 is a 1 micron under sink cartridge that can be installed with any mixer tap, filtering the whole cold water line. With a capacity of 60,000L, the Puremix-Z7 only needs to be changes every 6-12 months and incorporates quick twist technology that allows you to change cartridges in seconds.
Recommendation: FilterWall™ F5 or FilterWall™ F6 + PureMIx Z7
Best option for reducing PFAS from your water
The most effective solution for significant PFAS reduction, is to pair a FilterWall F Series whole house filter with a RO270 under sink reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through an extremely thin barrier, known as a membrane, that separates chemicals from the water.
The ultra-fine membrane of the RO270 operates by rejecting impurities, and flushing them out to drain. This system effectively removes up to 96% of all dissolved impurities, heavy metals, salts, viruses, bacteria, cysts, fluoride, nitrate, chlorine, taste, odour, and chemicals to a micron level of approximately 0.0005. If you are thinking of installing an under sink RO system, it's recommended to add aremineralising cartridgeafter the system, to balance the pH level and add essential minerals back into your water.
Recommendation: FilterWall™ F5orFilterWall™ F6 + RO270
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PFAS likely to be affecting my household?
Reports indicate that PFAS have been detected in the drinking water of up to 1.8 million Australians since 2010, including in areas such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and regional centres across Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. TheAustralian PFAS Chemicals Mapis a detailed resource, providing information relating to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances.
Will boiling my water remove PFAS?
Boiling water is not considered to be an effective method of removing PFAS.
How important is it to regularly change filters?
Regardless of the system chosen, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines to ensure the filters remain effective. Maintenance can include washing cartridges, changing filters, disinfecting the unit, backwashing, or cleaning out mineral build-up (scale). Water treatment units that are not properly maintained will lose their effectiveness over time.
What have the Australian Government said?
Advice from the Australian Government PFAS Taskforce concluded "While we know these chemicals can persist in humans, animals, and the environment, there is currently limited understanding of the human health effects of long-term PFAS exposure. Therefore, as a precaution, governments in Australia recommend that exposure be reduced wherever possible while research into any potential health effects continues".
How do PFAS move through the environment?
Dr. Jessica Ray, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington advises "Unfortunately, PFAS like to stick to solid surfaces like soils. They can dissolve in water and enter the Earth's atmosphere. And because PFAS can permeate air, water and soil, humans and animals can be exposed to them in a multitude of ways. And unfortunately, researchers have detected PFAS inmany, many different drinking watersources worldwide. Not just surface water and groundwater,but bottled water as well.
How can we avoid personal exposure to PFAS?
"Finding ways to remove PFAS loads to the environment and to drinking water will be important given the Environmental Protection Agency ruling in April 2024 to regulate several PFAS in drinking water. If you are filtering your water at home using a filtration cartridge, then that can help to remove a wide variety of contaminants. These contaminants can include heavy metals or other dissolved contaminants in water" states Dr. Ray.
References:
- EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), "PFAS Drinking Water Regulation and Treatment Methods" Webinar Presentation.
- EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), "Key EPA Actions to Address PFAS", April 2024.
- Environmental Protection Agency Victoria, "About PFAS".
- PFAS Map Australia
- Immunotoxicity and allergenic potential induced by topical application of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a murine model; Hillary L. Shane, Rachel Baur, Ewa Lukomska, Lisa Weatherly, Stacey E. Anderson,
- "Immunotoxicity and allergenic potential induced by topical application of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a murine model", Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 136, 2020, 111114, ISSN 0278-6915.
- 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).
- PFAS are toxic 'forever chemicals' that linger in our air, water, soil, and bodies - here's how to keep them out of your drinking water;Jessica Ray, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Washington; published 11 June 2024.
- "PFAS Chemicals in Australian Drinking Water - A Summary", Friends of the Earth, 3 May 2024.