Nearly half of the nation’s tap water is thought to contain one or more kinds of chemicals called PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. This finding comes from a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Believe it or not, there are over 12,000 different types of toxic PFAS, but we can’t detect all of them with the tests we have now. In this study, the USGS looked for 32 specific types of PFAS.

What exactly are PFAS?

Toxic PFAS chemicals are used in a lot of everyday products, like nonstick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and even cosmetics. There are over 14,000 of these chemicals, and they last a long time in the environment—and in our bodies. PFAS are nearly impossible to avoid, as they’re found in the air, water, soil, and even in people’s bloodstreams all over the world. Research has linked PFAS to health issues like cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, fertility problems, and immune system disorders, as well as higher cholesterol, obesity, and hormone problems.

Because PFAS chemicals stick around in the environment and are found all over the U.S., they pose a serious concern for water quality. The USGS found most of the PFAS exists near cities and places that may use these chemicals. Areas with higher exposure included the Great Plains, Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, and Central and Southern California. Scientists estimate that in rural areas, there’s about a 75% chance that PFAS won’t show up in tap water, while in urban areas, that chance drops to around 25%. The bottom line is that if you live in or near a big city, your water more likely contains PFAS.

Veterans have been exposed to toxic PFAS as well. In the 1970s, the Department of Defense started using a special foam called AFFF to put out fuel fires. When this foam was used in training and real emergencies, chemicals from it spread into the environment. This caused these harmful chemicals to contaminate groundwater on military bases.

How can you find out if your tap water contains PFAS?

If you get your water from a public system, you can contact your local water utility to ask how they are handling toxic PFAS and if they have tested the water for these chemicals. You can also request that they test for PFAS or share any test results they already have. However, keep in mind that some public water systems may not have this information. If you decide to test your water yourself, be sure to use a state-certified lab that follows EPA-approved testing methods.

If You Get Your Water From a Well

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t regulate private wells but offers helpful information on testing and treating well water to make sure it’s safe from toxic PFAS. Here’s what you can do:

Test your well water regularly

Regular testing helps you know the overall quality of your water and if it contains PFAS.

Check with your state

Contact your state’s environmental or health agency for advice and a list of state-certified labs that use EPA-approved methods to test drinking water. Once again, you can visit this website to help you find a lab to test for PFAS.  

Compare test results

After you complete your resting, compare your results to your state’s standards for safe PFAS levels in drinking water. If your state doesn’t have specific standards, use the EPA’s Health Advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS (components of PFAS) as a reference.

Steps You Can Take to Lower Your Exposure

Ditch the Teflon

Some nonstick coatings contain certain chemicals that belong to the PFAS family. Consumer Reports tested nonstick pans to check if manufacturers’ claims of being PFOA-free were reliable. They found that consumers couldn’t fully trust these claims, especially for pans made with Teflon (also called PTFE).

If you’ve decided to avoid PTFE-coated nonstick cookware, there are some excellent alternatives. Ceramic, cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel pans all performed well in Consumer Reports’ testing. Since access to the full report requires paid access, here are some top picks from each category. Feel free to send me an email if you need more information!

Some of the Consumer Reports’ top picks include:

Caraway Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick Cookware (I have these and love them!) – available at Target, Macy’s, Home Depot, Caraway Home, and Amazon

Oxo Stainless Steel Mira Series Cookware – available at Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot

Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron Series 1000 Cookware – available at Amazon, Wayfair, and Tramontina

Calphalon Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware – available at Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Amazon

Try a Water Filter Pitcher

ZeroWater Ready-Pour ZD-010RP Water Filter – available at Amazon, ZeroWater, and Home Depot

Go Big With Reverse Osmosis

Check with your local vendors

Though these alternatives can be expensive, both at first and in yearly maintenance, they’re durable and can be worth the investment for those looking to avoid toxic PFAS.

For more stories on human impacts, visit this link. There is much more to come!