PFAS: An Overview

PFAS, a type of toxic chemical found in consumer products, is getting a lot of attention in consumer products temps.

Consumer Reports recently conducted a study of 47 bottled waters and found concentrations of PFAS higher than those recommended by some experts. Michigan recently adopted some of the nation's strictest standards for PFAS limits for public water supplies in the state, and Minnesota officials are considering a $700 million project to address PFAS in Washington County's drinking water.

What are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been used for years 1950. We know of more than 5,000 of them, and we find them in products that most of us use almost every day: food containers (takeaway pizzas or hamburgers, anyone?); household products, including kitchen utensils with non-stick coating; waxes and paints; personal hygiene products (shampoo, dental floss); cosmetics, etc. They are also found in industrial products, including medical devices, insect baits, printer and copier parts, etc.

What is the difference between PFC, PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS?

The commonly used abbreviations for these chemicals are quite similar and can be confusing. Here are some basic points to help you understand them better:

• PFC is the name given to a large family of chemicals called "perfluorochemicals." The PFC family includes:
• PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
• PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
• Other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• The difference between one PFC and another is primarily determined by the chain length (the number of carbon atoms in its composition chemical).
• There are two main groups of PFCs: long-chain and short-chain.
• Long-chain PFCs, such as PFOA and PFOS, contain eight or more carbon atoms, are more persistent in the environment, and their health effects are well known.
• Short-chain PFCs contain 7 or fewer carbon atoms and have been shown to be less persistent, but their toxicity and effects have not been studied as thoroughly.
• PFOA and PFOS are two of the most commonly produced and studied long-chain PFCs.

Are PFCs such as PFAS and PFOA harmful to humans?

Despite all the benefits PFCs seem to provide (from making carpets splash-proof to ensuring your grilled cheese sandwich doesn't stick to the pan), there is a worrying potential downside to their manufacture and use. PFCs are called "forever chemicals" for a reason.

PFCs are extremely resistant to degradation when exposed to air, water, sunlight, acid, or other forces. They can stay in the environment – ​​and in the human body – for very long periods of time. In fact, it can take up to 4 years for the levels of PFAS and PFOA in your body to drop by half, even if you no longer ingest them. Long-term exposure and accumulation of PFCs in your body can pose serious health risks.

PFCs are very common in today's world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they are detectable in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. PFCs can enter your body through the air you breathe, through your food, or by drinking water containing PFCs. The chemicals leave the body primarily through urine.

What are the health risks posed by PFCs?

Human studies have shown that certain PFCs may be associated with a number of health problems, including:

• Increased cholesterol levels
• Liver tissue damage
• Delays of fetal and child development, including possible changes in growth, learning and behavior
• Prostate, kidney and testicular cancer

Even though the manufacture of many PFCs has been phased out in recent years, they are still present in the environment, including on (or in) many objects you may have in your home. New short-chain PFCs have been developed in recent years to replace their predecessors, but they also break down slowly in the environment and pose many of the same health concerns as long-chain PFCs.

Protect your drinking water from PFCs

Perfluorinated chemicals will continue to pose an ongoing threat to health and the environment. The best protection against perfluorinated chemicals in your drinking water is to have a final barrier system in place, such as a Berkey ® gravity water filtration system with powerful filters that have been independently tested to remove perfluorinated chemicals to levels below the detection limit.

Genuine Black Berkey ® elements have undergone rigorous third-party extreme testing to detect perfluorinated chemical contaminants in water, so so you can drink with confidence. See extreme PFC removal test results from Black Berkey ® Elements

Learn even more

For a more in-depth look at PFCs, associated health risks, and tips for reducing your exposure, read our article: Black Berkey ® Elements: The Final Barrier Against PFOA and Other PFCs in drinking water.

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