PFAS in drinking water has become an increasingly concerning issue in recent years, as these man-made chemicals have been found in water supplies across the United States and other parts of the world. Many states are finding that PFAs contamination is more widespread than originally thought, and they are only now beginning to address this problem.
PFAS in drinking water is a growing concern for many people, as exposure to these chemicals has been linked to potential health risks. The federal government, through the EPA, has set health advisory levels for some PFAS in drinking water, while some states have established their own, more stringent, standards.
In this article, we will explore the basics of PFAS in drinking water, their potential health effects, and what you can do to protect yourself from exposure.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of more than 4,700 man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products since the 1940s. Due to their chemical stability, PFAS do not break down easily in the environment, leading to widespread contamination in water, soil, and air.
PFAS are highly resistant to heat, water, and oil, which makes them useful in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. They are also used in firefighting foam, which led to their widespread use. As a result, we are finding PFAS in groundwater and drinking water sources across the country.
How do PFAS get into my drinking water?
PFAS can get into drinking water through several ways, including:
- Discharge from industrial facilities: PFAS are used in many industrial processes, and facilities that manufacture or use these chemicals can release them into the environment.
- Landfills: Landfills that contain products or materials that contain PFAS can leach these chemicals into nearby groundwater.
- Wastewater treatment plants: PFAS can be present in wastewater, and treatment plants that do not remove these chemicals can release them into the environment.
- Firefighting foam: Firefighting foam that contains PFAS can be used during emergencies, and the foam can contaminate nearby soil and groundwater.
- Contaminated soil: PFAS can leach from contaminated soil into groundwater, which can then contaminate drinking water sources.
Once PFAS are in the environment, they can persist for a long time and can accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals. This is why they are known as forever chemicals.
What are the health effects of PFAS exposure?
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of potential health effects, including:
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Changes in liver function
- Decreased vaccine response in children
- Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer
- Developmental effects in fetuses and infants
While the full extent of the health effects of PFAS is still being studied, some experts believe that even low levels of exposure may be harmful.
How can I protect myself from PFAS exposure?
There are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to PFAS. These include using alternative products that do not contain PFAS, such as stainless steel cookware and glass food containers, and avoiding products with stain and water-resistant coatings. You can also install a water filtration system that is specifically designed to remove PFAS from your drinking water.
Current Regulations and Guidelines
Federal Regulations
On March 14, 2023, EPA announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS including:
- perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
- perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA commonly known as GenX Chemicals)
- perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
- perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)
The proposed PFAS NPDWR does not require any actions until it is finalized. EPA anticipates finalizing the regulation by the end of 2023. EPA expects that if fully implemented, the rule will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.
EPA is proposing a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) to establish legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for the above mentioned PFAS compounds.
The following table summarizes the proposed federal drinking water standards for PFAS.
| Compound | Proposed MCLG | Proposed MCL (enforceable levels) |
| PFOA | Zero | 4.0 parts per trillion (also expressed as ng/L) |
| PFOS | Zero | 4.0 ppt |
| PFNA | 1.0 (unitless)
Hazard Index |
1.0 (unitless)
Hazard Index |
| PFHxS | ||
| PFBS | ||
| HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as GenX Chemicals) |
The proposed rule would also require public water systems to:
- Monitor for these PFAS
- Notify the public of the levels of these PFAS
- Reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards.
State Regulations
Several states, including Rhode Island and Washington, have proposed Drinking Water regulations for PFAS, reinforcing the fact that this is an area of regulation that is developing quickly. The following chart lists the current PFAS standards for states with established limits.
| Participating States | Concentration Level | Type of Regulation |
| Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, New Mexico, and Ohio | 70 ppt | Follow the EPA Standard: PFOS and PFOA combined (Notification) |
| California | 5.1 ppt | PFOA (Notification) |
| 6.5 ppt | PFOS (Notification) | |
| Connecticut | 70 ppt | 5 PFAS substances combined: PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, and PFOA (Notification) |
| Massachusetts | 20 ppt (Stated in the regulation as 20 ng/L) | 6 PFAS Substances combined — PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA (MCL) |
| Michigan | 6 ppt | PFNA (MCL) |
| 8 ppt | PFOA (MCL) | |
| 16 ppt | PFOS (MCL) | |
| 51 ppt | PFHxS (MCL) | |
| 370 ppt | HFPO-DA (MCL) | |
| 420 ppt | PFBS (MCL) | |
| 140,000 ppt | PFHxA (MCL) | |
| Minnesota | 15 ppt | PFOS (Guidance) |
| 35 ppt | PFOA (Guidance) | |
| 47 ppt | PFHxS (Guidance) | |
| 2,000 ppt | PFBS (Guidance) | |
| 7,000 ppt | PFBA (Guidance) | |
| New Hampshire | 11 ppt | PFNA (MCL) |
| 12 ppt | PFOA (MCL) | |
| 15 ppt | PFOS (MCL) | |
| 18 ppt | PFHxS (MCL) | |
| New Jersey | 13 ppt | PFNA and PFOS (MCL) |
| 14 ppt | PFOA (MCL) | |
| New York | 10 ppt | PFOA and PFAS (MCL) |
| North Carolina | 140 ppt | GenX (Guidance) |
| Ohio | 21 ppt | PFNA (Guidance) |
| 140 ppt | PFHxS (Guidance) | |
| 700 ppt | Gen X (Guidance) | |
| 140,000 ppt | PBFS (Guidance) | |
| Vermont | 20 ppt (Stated in the regulation as 0.000020 mg/L) | 5 PFAS substances combined: PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS and PFOA (MCL) |
Methods for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water
Various treatment methods are available for removing PFAS from drinking water. In this section, we will explore four of the most common techniques:
Activated Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon filters are a very effective treatment method for removing PFAS from drinking water. Key features and attributes of this technology are:
- Uses porous carbon material to adsorb PFAS from water
- Effective for removing a wide range of PFAS compounds
- Can be used in both municipal and household filtration systems
Ion Exchange Resins
Ion exchange resins have recently been developed that are extremely effective at removing PFAS from water. These resins have the following attributes:
- Utilizes specially designed resins to bind PFAS molecules
- Highly effective for removing short-chain PFAS
- Requires periodic regeneration or replacement of the resin
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration can effectively remove PFAS from drinking water. This technology is well understood and is widely used for treating drinking water.
RO technology offers the following benefits:
- Forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, leaving PFAS behind
- Effective for removing both long- and short-chain PFAS
- Requires a high-pressure pump and may produce a significant amount of wastewater
Nanofiltration
- Similar to reverse osmosis but uses a more selective membrane
- Can effectively remove a wide range of PFAS compounds
- Less energy-intensive compared to reverse osmosis
| Treatment Method | Key Features | Applications |
| Activated Carbon | – Porous carbon material<br>- Wide range of PFAS removal | Municipal, Household |
| Ion Exchange Resins | – Special resins<br>- Effective for short-chain PFAS | Municipal, Household |
| Reverse Osmosis | – Semi-permeable membrane<br>- High-pressure pump | Municipal, Household |
| Nanofiltration | – Selective membrane<br>- Less energy-intensive | Municipal, Household |
Testing Your Drinking Water for PFAS Contamination
If you are concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, you can have it tested for contamination.
There are several analytical methods available to detect and quantify PFAS in drinking water, such as liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). You can also use home test kits to evaluate your home’s drinking water.
Regular testing of drinking water sources is essential to ensure that PFAS concentrations remain below the recommended guidelines.
Final Take
PFAS in drinking water is a growing concern, and it’s important to be informed about the potential risks and take steps to protect yourself from exposure. By understanding the basics of PFAS and taking proactive measures, you can help ensure that you and your family are drinking safe and healthy water.