What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a group of synthesized chemicals. These chemicals have been used since the 1950s due to their waterproof, non-stick, and stain-resistant properties. PFAS is used in:
- Cookware (non-stick coating)
- Food packaging (non-stick coating)
- Clothing (Water-resistant)
- Cosmetics and personal care products (skin and haircare)
- Firefighting foam (AFFF)
- (Textiles, leather, paper, and others)
As PFAS has been seen all over the world, it has thus contaminated soil, water, and the air. Moreover, it is also believed that a lot of people may have a level of PFAS in their blood.
Why are PFAS a concern for drinking water?
There are several concerns about having PFAS in drinking water. Some of them include:
- Affecting reproductive system.
- May cause cancer.
- May suppress the immune system.
- May cause thyroid problems.
Definition and chemical properties
PFAS are a class of synthetic compounds characterized by being less likely to degrade due to their carbon-fluorine bond. The most common PFAS include:
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Replacement of PFOA and PFOS such as GenX
Various industries are also known to utilize PFAS, such as aerospace, automation, construction, and electronics.
Why PFAS are called “forever chemicals”
PFAS is called “forever chemicals” because they last for a long time in the environment and our bodies. It does not breakdown due to its synthesized properties. Therefore, it takes a timeframe of around a thousand years to breakdown due to the structure of strong bonds between fluorine and carbon atoms.
Health Risks Associated with PFAS Exposure
There are several health risks associated with PFAS. They include:
- Issues with fertility and birth defects.
- Uprising of cancer
- Thyroid issues.
- Damage to the liver and immune system.
- Hormone imbalance
- Obesity and high cholesterol levels.
Potential health effects of PFAS contamination
There are potential health effects of PFAS contamination seen in drinking water, food, and consumer products. Hence, there has been an increase in health issues over the years due to the contamination in certain vulnerable groups. These groups are:
- Foetuses
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Individuals with immune issues.
Current regulatory limits and guidelines
Regulatory limits and guidelines are not the same by region and country. Moreover, it is imperative to understand that the limits and guidelines are not set in stone, as there needs to be more research on the health risk of being exposed to PFAS. Let us look at the basic guidelines that may be used. For example:
- The EU has stated that the allowed level is 0.5 go/L for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a non-enforceable health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has declared that PFOA and PFOS are dangerous for people.
Testing for PFAS in Your Water: Home testing options
To test for PFAS in your water, let us look at some home testing options. They are:
- Tap score PFAS water test. This test can identify 14 different types of PFAS compounds. These compounds can range from perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
- DIY test kits that have been designed by laboratories or universities. These kits may offer testing quality of PFAS to house owners. Therefore, homeowners would need to collect water samples and send them to the lab for them to be analysed.
As for professional water testing services, they are:
- Laboratories accredited by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) offer PFAS testing services.
- Local water quality consultants or companies that install and analyse water treatment systems.
Effective Methods for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water
The effective methods for removing PFAS from drinking water are activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, POU and POE treatment, and ion exchange treatment. Let us look at each of these methods in detail:
- Reverse osmosis uses nanofiltration or reverse osmosis that is effective in removing PFAS.
- Ion exchange treatment works by using ion exchange resins that pull contaminants, such as PFAS, that are passing through the water system.
- Activated carbon filtration, as it suggests, uses activated carbon to remove PFAS from the water.
- Point of use (POU) or point-of-entry (POE) treatment is another method used to remove PFAS from the water. POU is used in a single area, while POE treats water in a home.
Comparison of effectiveness:
- Reverse osmosis is considered the most effective method for removing PFAS, particularly longer-chain compounds.
- Ion exchange resins can be effective for shorter-chain anionic PFAS but may not remove cationic or neutral compounds.
- Activated carbon filtration is less effective for longer-chain PFAS but can still remove some shorter-chain compounds.
It is also important to know that different PFAS compounds respond in a different manner with types of water systems. Therefore, it is important to understand that different filtration stems correspond differently with the type of PFAS compound in the water. Let us look at some of the key findings:
- Reverse osmosis may be effective in removing PFAS such as PFOA or PFOS.
- Activated carbon filters may be potent in removing long-change compounds such as PFNA or PFHxS.
- Dual-stage filter, which may be effective in removing short- and long-chain PFAs.
- Whole house granular activated carbon, which may be effective in removing other levels of PFAs.
Thus, when it comes to selecting the right PFAS system for your home, you will need to consider the following:
- The usage or consumption of the home in terms of it being a large household or taking on huge water consumption.
- If the water is contaminated, then it would be better to use a RO or a dual-stage system.
- A merger of technologies such as RO and AC would be necessary if the water is contaminated with short- and long-chain PFAs.
- There needs to be a filter replacement for equipment’s lie RO and dual stage.
Here is the difference between point of use (POU) and whole house systems.
POU systems are cost-effective, and they are easy to install. However, it may not be effective in removing contaminants that have polluted the water.
Whole-house systems, on the other hand, are a more complex system and is used in larger homes or water that has been heavily contaminated. However, it is pricey and needs to be maintained frequently.
The maintenance requirements for filtration systems are as follows:
- Filter needs frequent replacement and, thus, you will need to ensure that there is a frequent schedule from the manufacturer.
- The system needs periodic cleaning. This is important to ensure that there is no bacterial growth in the system.
Clean the system periodically to prevent bacterial growth and maintain effectiveness. - The water needs to be tested on a regular basis to ensure that there is no contamination of PFAS and that the system is working properly.
Therefore, for those who are concerned about PFAS, then look no further. Rajah Filter Technics uses the most advanced and NSF®️ certified material to produce the Carbon Blocks. Its products can remove the PFAS in drinking water to levels well below the desired specifications for drinking water.
Unlock the power of activated carbon filter blocks in removing PFAS!
Rajah Filter uses double action process:
- Physical adsorption which attacks and trap PFAS molecules. The PFAS molecules are “trapped” by the roughness and porosity o the activated carbon. This creates a barrier that blocks PFAS to be desorbed back into the solution.
- Chemical adsorption which holds PFAS contaminants within the carbon structure. There is a strong bond which is effective in removing PFAS contaminants. This too prevents PFAS from being absorbed back into the solution.
Conclusion
To conclude, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are called forever chemicals due to its synthetic compounds. It is currently detected in the environment and the body and has worsen the risk of ailments. Thus, it is important to adhere to regulatory limits and guidelines for PFAs and address the issues of contaminated drinking water. Therefore, it is important to adopt techniques such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and activated carbon filtration to manage this risk. By understanding the challenges and solutions associated with PFAS, individuals and communities can take steps to protect public health and the environment.
References:
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