Here at Dan Wood Company, we’ve been following the local Portage news lately and we’re sure you’ve heard about PFAS and their effects on the local water supply. The national hysteria over PFAS is a recent one and is now getting the spotlight. For years, you have been exposed to these chemicals unknowingly with seemingly no harm. Unfortunately, after further research, PFAS were found to have some pretty shocking negative effects. Worst of all, they can be found in many places, including your drinking water.
Researching which water filtration system is best for preventing PFAS exposure? We’re glad to help!
What is PFAS?
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that are commonly used as water repellents or fire retardants in many products ever since the 1950s. PFAS can be found in products ranging from cleaning products to personal care products such as shampoos and dental floss. Researchers have found that the spread of PFAS is nearly inevitable, as they have been around for so decades and can travel by air, water and even into the soil where you live. In the last few years, there has been a drastic effort to reduce the use and spread of PFAS, but they have not been entirely eliminated and many products still have the chemicals in them.
The Negative Effects of PFAS
So, why is all of this important? The main concern with PFAS is that there are several severe side effects that can occur after being exposed to a significant amount of PFAS. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, some of the negative effects are:
- Stunts physical growth and learning of children and young adults
- Decreases fertility in women
- Disrupts hormone balances in the body
- Increase cholesterol
- Negatively affects the immune system
- Increases risk of cancer
These effects can be extremely dangerous and detrimental to your health so it is imperative that you minimize your exposure to PFAS as much as possible.
How Can You Avoid PFAS Exposure?
Although the spread and minimal exposure to PFAS is basically inevitable, there are some helpful things that you can do in order to prevent coming into contact with dangerous levels of PFAS. For one, it is recommended to avoid eating contaminated fish by contacting the local and state health departments to inquire about PFAS in order to ensure your area is not having an issue with fish contamination. More importantly, it is recommended that you install a filtration system into your home to reduce the amounts of PFAS that are in your drinking water. Two systems that are typically used to reduce the chemicals found in your water supply are reverse osmosis filtration systems and carbon filtration systems. The percentage of PFAS that is reduced is entirely dependent upon the system you are installing.
With the recent hype over PFAS, it can be difficult to know what is right for you and how significantly you’re affected by these chemicals. We recommend that you have your water tested and install a water filtration system in your home in order to prevent significant exposure to PFAS, as well as a wide array of other chemicals and sediments in your drinking water. To know which filtration system is right for you and your family, it is recommended that you speak with a plumbing professional before making a decision.
Looking for a solution to your PFAS problem? Contact us to learn more about professional solutions in Portage!
