PFAS in Water: The Hidden Chemical You’re Drinking Every Day
When unsafe water comes to mind, one thinks about some visible contaminants, mud colour, or bacteria that make one ill right away. These are easily noticed, and some immediate action is taken. The biggest problem today is chemical contaminants that cannot be smelled, tasted, or seen.
Many chemical contaminants pollute drinking water, but among the most serious are PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, which have been identified as the most severe threat to drinking water resources. The fact is that PFAS do not undergo natural decomposition, which means that once this substance contaminates groundwater or borewell water, it stays there for several years. The problem is that this substance is colourless and odourless, so people end up drinking contaminated water without even knowing the risks involved.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Dangerous?
PFAS stands for Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a group of man-made chemicals known for their strong resistance to heat, water, and oil. Because of these properties, they have been widely used in many industrial and consumer products over the years. However, this same resistance makes PFAS extremely difficult to break down in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
Once released, PFAS can persist in soil and water for decades without degrading. They easily travel through groundwater systems and contaminate borewells and drinking water sources. Due to their chemical stability, even conventional water treatment methods struggle to remove them, allowing PFAS to remain in the environment and enter the human body through daily water consumption.
Everyday Products That Contain PFAS
PFAS is used in many consumer products, including cosmetics, smartphone screens, stain-resistant materials, and non-stick Teflon pans. In everyday use, such products appear harmless and safe because of their stability, which is why many people are unaware of the threat they pose.
The real and absolute danger begins once these products are discarded and enter the environment. When dumped in landfills, PFAS-containing materials do not naturally decompose or break down. Over time, rainwater passes through these waste sites, carrying PFAS into the soil and eventually into groundwater and borewell water sources. This slow environmental leakage turns common household waste into a long-term source of water contamination.
How PFAS Enter Borewell and Groundwater
After disposal, PFAS-containing materials sit in landfills for years without breaking down. Unlike organic waste, these chemicals remain chemically stable and continue to leach out slowly over time. When it rains, water percolates through layers of waste and soil, carrying PFAS deep underground.
As this process repeats year after year, PFAS gradually spread through the soil and enter underground aquifers. Over time, these chemicals contaminate borewell water and groundwater, which are primary drinking and domestic water sources for many households. This makes PFAS contamination especially dangerous, as people may unknowingly consume polluted water for years without any visible warning signs.
Why PFAS in Water Is More Dangerous Than in Products
Many have raised questions about the harmful nature of Teflon pans containing PFAS, given that the same chemicals are toxic when present in drinking water. The significant difference is how the body absorbs the substances when they are present as a coating.
However, PFAS entering the body in its dissolved form in water is an entirely different process. Since the human body is mainly water, chemicals carried by water are absorbed more quickly through the digestive system. Once in the bloodstream, PFAS spread more efficiently to organs and tissues and tend to remain there for long periods. This direct and continuous exposure through drinking water makes PFAS contamination far more dangerous than occasional contact through cookware.
PFAS Accumulation Inside the Human Body
Unlike most pollutants, which can be readily eliminated from the body, PFAS accumulate in the body for a long time. The human body does not have an effective way to metabolize or eliminate these compounds; thus, they gradually accumulate in the bloodstream or organs.
Drinking contaminated water containing PFAS on a regular basis leads to accumulation, even at low concentrations. As time passes, the dangers to health increase, especially for those who are more sensitive to them. For an extended period, it has been associated with health dangers such as hormonal disorders, a weakened immune system, and even higher chances of diseases. This could be considered a silent killer.
Health Risks Linked to Long-Term PFAS Exposure
The serious health concerns it may lead to after having been exposed for a long period include hormonal imbalance, immune system disruption, and a higher risk of cancer. These chemicals may affect hormonal balance in the body by interfering with growth, metabolism, and the reproductive system.
Other known harmful health effects associated with PFAS substances include immune suppression, which makes the human body less responsive to fighting infections and responding to vaccination. The threat is worsened because even low levels of exposure can lead to severe effects when measured over long periods. Because PFAS accumulate in the body over time, small daily intake through drinking water can eventually lead to significant health impacts, with no early warning signs.
Why Water Testing Alone Is Not Enough
Testing water is a crucial first step to determine whether it is contaminated with harmful substances, such as PFAS. It provides valuable information about the presence and concentration of these chemicals. However, testing alone does not remove PFAS from the water.
PFAS are chemically stable and extremely small, which makes them resistant to most conventional water treatment methods, including simple filters, boiling, or standard sediment removal. This means that even if your water appears clean and has no apparent taste issues, it may still contain hazardous PFAS levels. Due to the potential for these substances to persist in water over a prolonged period, a purification strategy specifically targeting them—such as a high-quality RO water filter or PFAS filter —must be employed to eliminate the hazardous components of the water effectively.
RO Purification: The Most Reliable Protection Against PFAS
An adequately designed Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is one of the most effective and reliable ways to reduce PFAS and other harmful chemical contaminants from drinking water. RO systems use pressure to push water through a membrane that prevents even the tiniest particles, such as PFAS, heavy metals, and other toxins, from passing through.
The process helps eliminate dissolved chemical contaminants. Also, RO water filters enhance the safety of your drinking water, resulting in improved flavour and clarity. An effective RO water filter ensures your drinking water is free of contaminants that may pose health risks. Long-term consumption of clean drinking water from an RO water filter results in excellent reductions in dangerous chemical contaminants in your body. This consequently prevents a potential health hazard posed by PFAS contaminants. Moreover, it ensures that every family has access to safe drinking water.