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- Forever chemicals, a.k.a. PFAS, get this name because they don’t break down easily.
- These harmful chemicals can be found in everyday products like clothing, appliances, food packaging, food, and drinking water.
- Though public water suppliers are taking action to rid water of these harmful chemicals, a new study finds 45 percent of tap water across the country contains them.
Nearly half of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have at least one or more per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Often found in everyday products, including running gear, there are thousands of different types of PFAS, which don’t break down easily and can remain in the environment, including drinking water, for unknown periods of time.
As a runner, you need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, not just around run time. So the idea that PFAS being present in your H2O might make you more particular about where you fill up your bottle or glass.
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To understand the presence of PFAS in tap water across the country, researchers tested 716 water samples from private wells and public water supply, for 32 different types of PFAS. Scientists then used a geospatial model, which is technology used to analyze spatial and geological patterns, to predict the water quality. This model established about a three-mile radius around each sample site that factored in environmental releases such as airports, waste management, oil, and gas.
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The study estimates at least 45 percent of the nation’s tap water supply could contain one or more PFAS, with exposure potentially more common in the Great Plains, Great Lakes, eastern seaboard, and central and southern California. Lastly, the study found at least one PFAS in 237 tap water samples, including in 40 percent of public water supply and 20 percent of private wells.
Public water suppliers typically don’t test tap water, but this study did, says Kelly Smalling, master’s in public health, lead author, and research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey.
“If the average American is really worried about the quality of their drinking water, we’re hopeful that they can use this and other studies to get informed. And then once they’re informed, evaluate their own personal risk,” Smalling says.
Whether you’re a private well user or use a public water supply, here is what you need to know about PFAS and a few steps you can take to ensure your drinking water is safe.
What Runners Should Know About PFAS
PFAS are everywhere, not just in your running gear but in stain resistant products, cookware, food packaging, personal care products, and as we now know, in drinking water (bottled or tap) and even some foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 9,000 PFAs that exist today, though some experts may argue more or less based on molecular structure.
In fact, most people in the U.S. have been exposed to PFAS and have them in their blood, which research shows can have negative health effects, depending on exposure.
These synthetic chemicals can get released into the environment accidentally or purposefully, through permits that allow companies to discharge certain quantities of them, says Jamie DeWitt, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. For example, PFAS can be found in fertilizers used on agricultural lands and can affect ground and surface water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA requires public water providers to test for and remove different contaminants, like lead, regularly under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Also, the EPA requires providers to test for a list of unregulated contaminants, which typically includes PFAS, every five years. However, this is only to collect data, not to limit them. Currently, there aren’t any federal laws limiting PFAS levels, though advisories are in place and legislation is pending.
On a state level, public water providers must abide by state laws limiting PFAS concentrations in drinking water, which typically vary from state to state depending on scientific differences, like exposure and concentration levels, says DeWitt.
What’s more, many private well users lack access to this water quality information because private wells aren’t regulated by the EPA. Therefore, home owners are responsible for testing, monitoring, and treating their own water.
“Most people probably aren’t going to get exposed to high enough levels of PFAS to have immediate effects,” says DeWitt. However, most people will get exposed to lower concentrations of PFAS over time, she adds.
Research shows there are a few different health risks that can be associated with long term exposure to PFAS. Health concerns with the strongest links to forever chemicals include kidney and testicular cancer, increased cholesterol levels, decreased response to vaccinations, liver damage, and even low birth weight in babies, says DeWitt.
It’s important to note, exposure levels play a role in the development of these conditions, therefore every case is different, and this can make it tough to pinpoint exact causes of these conditions and how much exposure to forever chemicals may have contributed.
How to Make Sure Your Water Is Free of Forever Chemicals
If you’re concerned about the presence of PFAS in your drinking water, here are some steps DeWitt says you can take.
1. Check Your Water Supply
If you get your water from a public water supplier, then you might have access to an annual water quality report online, which will typically share information about exactly what your provider is doing to eliminate contaminants in your drinking water, says DeWitt. You can find this information on your provider’s website, but it’s typically mailed out annually to consumers.
For private well users, as we mentioned previously, you’ll have to test, monitor, and treat your own water supply. You can check your state department’s website for exact information on how to test, and a list of laboratories you can use to complete testing in your area.
Keep in mind, if you’re in charge of treating your own drinking water, the only level of PFAS that is truly safe in any water is zero, says DeWitt. “That is the quantity that we know with 100 percent certainty is without risk,” she adds.
2. Use a Water Filter
You can use a pitcher filter, faucet filter, or install a whole home filtration system to help rid your water of PFAS. While all of these systems vary in price, research shows reverse osmosis filtration to be the most effective, says DeWitt. Granular activated carbon filters and ion exchange resins are also effective.
If you’re using a pitcher with a filter, make a note of when you’re supposed to change it, according to the instructions, because contaminants can build up in the filter and bleed out, says DeWitt.
3. Consult With Your Doctor
If you’re concerned about PFAS levels in your blood, you can be tested, says DeWitt. Keep in mind, this test isn’t a part of your routine check up, so you’ll have to ask your doctor for it and availability may vary.
4. Look for Forever-Chemical-Free Products
A common misconception is if you want to avoid PFAS, then you can simply drink bottled water. Unfortunately, research has found PFAS in some bottled water as well, so make sure you find a brand that is taking action to ensure their product is free of forever chemicals, if you’re concerned about exposure.
Also, consider shopping for other forever-chemical-free products, says DeWitt. Typically brands will mention in the product description, so make sure you read it.
Monique LeBrun joined the editorial staff in October 2021 as the associate health and fitness editor. She has a master’s degree in journalism and has previously worked for ABC news and Scholastic. She is an avid runner who loves spending time outside.
