Do You Have Pre or Poly Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Your Water?

PFAS is short for pre and poly fluoroalkyl substances, which has become pervasive in our environment. This class of more than 12,000 chemicals is found in products like food packaging and carpets to repel water, grease, and stains. They are also in firefighting foam used on military bases and commercial airports. Even personal care products like mascaras, eyeliners, sunscreen, shampoo, and shaving cream contain PFAS.

PFAS don’t easily breakdown and persists in your body and the environment for decades. Today, more than 97% of the US population has PFAS in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Drinking water is one of the most significant pathways of PFAS exposure. PFAS has contaminated the tap water of at least 200 million people, as well as groundwater in at least 38 states. PFAS contaminates water supplies through primary sources: firefighting foam and industrial releases.

The most researched PFAS, called PFOA and PFOS, show links to kidney and testicular cancer, as well as endocrine disruption and immune system suppression.

Although US manufacturers have largely phased out production of PFOA & PFOS, imported products, products entering the waste stream, and PFAS previously released into our environment still expose us to toxic chemicals. Chemical companies are replacing older PFAS with other chemicals in the PFAS family. Unfortunately, these replacements act like older PFAS, and they can present similar hazards.

PFAS can also accumulate in the human body by consuming contaminated food. A 2017 study found PFAS in one third of all fast-food wrappers, where it can migrate into greasy foods. High levels of freshwater fish can have high levels of PFAS. PFAS water contamination is widespread in the states of Michigan, New York, and North Carolina.

DuMor Water Specialists offers two Kinetico drinking water stations; the A200 and K5. They are both certified by the Water Quality Association to reduce PFAS in your drinking water. Contact us today to find out how you can get your water tested for free!