PFAS Contamination: Home Water Filtration Treatment Options

Perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), are man-made chemicals containing carbon atoms with fluorine substituents. PFAS are noted to be highly stable due to fluorine-carbon bonds as well as being hydrophobic and lipophobic. These characteristics have made them useful in manufacturing polymers and surfactants, as well as a wide range of consumer products.  Some products produced using PFAS are fabrics, polishes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-extinguishing products. PFAS, especially perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perflurooctanoic acid (PFA), have been suspected of a variety of adverse health effects. PFAS can be toxic and are bio-accumulative and often long-lasting.

Some PFAS may also have developmental effects. PFAS are found in a wide range of consumer products that people use daily such as cookware, pizza boxes and stain repellants. Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals.

Drinking water can be a source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies. Such contamination is typically localized and associated with a specific facility, for example,

• industrial facility where PFAS were produced or used to manufacture other products, or
• oil refinery, airfield, or other location at which PFAS were used for firefighting.

The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has issued a health advisory level of 70 ppt (parts per trillion) for PFAS in drinking water. This article provides a brief overview of the different home water treatment technologies available for PFAS removal.

Treatment Solutions for PFAS Contamination

Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Activated Carbon home water filters are two of the most used treatment technologies for PFAS removal. An under-sink reverse osmosis filter is probably the best choice for home treatment of PFAS.

Product Specifications for RO and Carbon Filters

1. AQUASANA OPTIMH2O REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM The OptimH2O Whole House Filter is the first product to get NSF certification for the reduction of PFOA/PFOS. Designed to improve overall health and wellness, the Aquasana OptimH2O® whole house filter is IAPMO certified to NSF standards to reduce more than 99 percent of lead and cysts, 98 percent of PFOA/PFOS, and also tackles 90 percent of chlorine/chloramines, so the customers can enjoy cleaner, better tasting water from every tap in their homes. The following table 1 provides product specifications for the OptimH2O Whole House Filter and table 2 provides PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) reduction claims.

   Table 1 – Product Specifications

   

   Table 2 – PFAS (PFOA & PFOS) Reduction Claims

   

2. BLACK BERKEY GRAVITY CARBON FILTERS
    The Black Berkey Gravity Carbon Filter is one of the few filters that are certified carbon filters for PFAS removal. The portable Big Berkey Purification System effortlessly purifies water for about 1-4 people each day. Add additional Black Berkey Purification Elements (the Big Berkey System can hold a maximum of four) to increase the flow rate. The system is just 19.25” tall and 8.5” in diameter. It includes two carbon cartridge elements to purify water. Each element is designed to purify approximately 3,000 gallons of water before needing replacement; 2 elements in a Berkey system will purify approximately 6,000 gallons of water before replacement is recommended.

In general, reverse osmosis systems more consistently removed PFAS compared to activated carbon systems.  Most reverse osmosis systems also have the benefit of an additional activated carbon filtration stage included in the system. Reverse osmosis systems remove a wider range of other contaminants from drinking water and their effectiveness can be tested at home using an electrical conductivity meter. But activated carbon filter systems are significantly less expensive than reverse osmosis systems. Carbon filters must be changed on schedule as they will lose their effectiveness over time.

experts specialize in providing best tailored recommendations to their customers depending upon their water quality and pertaining issues. The experienced technicians at Sani Water will also help the customers with the installation and maintenance of the home water filters.

REFERENCES

Buck, R., J. Franklin, U. Berger, J. Conder, I. Cousins, P. de Voogt, A. Jensen, K. Kannan, S. Mabury, and S. van Leeuwen. 2011. “Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: terminology, classification, and origins.” Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 7 (4): 513-41.

https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas#health

https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/09/removing-toxic-fluorinated-chemicals-your-home-s-tap-water

https://www.aquasana.com/drinking-water-filter-systems/reverse-osmosis-claryum

https://www.nsf.org/newsroom/nsf-international-certifies-first-water-filters-pfoa

https://www.berkeywater.com/black-berkey-purification-elements/

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0167/5480/2788/files/Black-Berkey_Perfluorinated-Chemical-Removal-Test-Report.pdf?11366