Amid growing concern about pollution of our air, rivers and seas, worries are rising about chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) accumulating in soil and drinking water.
These chemicals, comprising many thousands of compounds, are prized for their water-resistant and non-stick properties. They are used in food packaging, floor polish, frying pans and bakeware, outdoor clothing, cosmetics, dishwasher rinse aid, even dental floss.
But PFAS do not break down easily – they can take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade – so are dubbed ‘forever chemicals’. There is strong evidence that, after products containing them are discarded, PFAS leach into soil and waterways.
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Crucially, ingesting PFAS may be hazardous to health, particularly in high doses, and has been linked to cancer and fertility issues. The US Department of Health National Toxicology Programme has highlighted immunotoxicity (adverse affects on the immune system) caused by exposure to high levels of certain PFAS.
Much of this pollution originates in agriculture or industry, especially factories producing PFAS. High concentrations have been found in pesticides and sewage waste spread on farmers’ fields as fertiliser, which then enter the water system as run-off after rainfall.
In England and Wales, there are no statutory standards for PFAS in drinking water. In Scotland, regulations are aligned with the EU’s Drinking Water Directive.
Fortunately, you can take action to minimise your exposure to PFAS. For instance, some experts recommend using seasoned cast- or spun-iron pans for frying and baking rather than aluminium pans, particularly those with burnt or degraded non-stick coating. And look for ‘PFAS-free’ labels on cosmetics and other household products.
The most impactful action you can take is to filter drinking water using jugs or dispensers made by the likes of AquaTru, Brita or ZeroWater, or with under-sink filters. These purify water flowing straight from your tap, so are more convenient in the longer term (though may require plumbing in), and are sold by companies including AquaTru, Brita, Waterdrop and Cloud RO.
Here, RO is short for reverse osmosis, one of three technologies used to remove PFAS and other contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems force water through a membrane with extremely small pores that don’t allow PFAS or other contaminants through, only pure water. Note that some critics claim that RO also removes beneficial minerals from water.
Ion exchange water filters contain anion resins or polymers that act like tiny, powerful magnets – negatively charged ions of PFAS are attracted to the positively charged resins – holding contaminated materials that are prevented from passing through the water system.
The third technology involves activated carbon, which absorbs PFAS both physically and chemically. It’s most commonly found in water jug filters but is also used in under-sink systems.
As research into the prevalence and health impacts of PFAS continues, we can expect tighter regulation on their manufacture and disposal.
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