There are many water filters on the market, but not all filters address PFAS. If you choose to use a filter, be sure to get one that is certified to remove or reduce PFAS in drinking water. As of April 2024, filter certifications focus on removing the chemicals PFOA and PFOS, which are two specific types of PFAS.
Two types of filters recommended are granular activated carbon (GAC) and reverse osmosis (RO) filters. Advantages and disadvantages of each type, as well as general information on PFOA and PFOS in drinking water are summarized in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's factsheet on PFAS filters.
The standard Brita filter is not certified for the removal of PFOS or PFOA. Do Brita Pitcher Filters Remove Hard Water Minerals from Tap Water? No, Brita pitcher filters are not certified to remove calcium and magnesium, the minerals which contribute the most to hardness.
Filters containing activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes have been shown to be effective at removing PFAS from water supplies.
Research by Duke and NC State scientists finds most filters are only partially effective at removing PFAS. A few, if not properly maintained, can even make the situation worse.
PUR pitcher filters are not certified to reduce perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Activated carbon technology is capable of reducing PFAS levels, but the PUR website does not claim that their pitcher filters effectively address elevated PFAS levels.
Boiling water does not remove the regulated PFAS and may concentrate PFAS into some foods. Consuming foods that contain PFAS increases your overall exposure as ingestion is the primary way PFAS enter the body.
High-efficiency reverse osmosis system removes up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, and lead.
Potential Health Effects
In epidemiology studies, PFOA has been associated with decreased antibodies in infants and young children, lower birth weights, increased cholesterol in adults, and increased liver enzymes in adults.
For consumers seeking top-tier PFAS removal, the Epic Pure water filter emerges as a clear favorite, offering an exceptional 98% removal rate and upholding its reputation as a reliable and effective solution for clean and safe drinking water.
They are effective on their own and remove PFOA and PFOS well, but have trouble with Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and Perfluorobutyrate (PFBA). Berkey Filters incorporates this method into the filtration process with Black Berkey elements.
For example, PFAS are not regulated in bottled water, and recent testing by academic researchers indicated that several brands were contaminated with these chemicals.
It is safe to shower and bathe in PFAS-contaminated water. Neither routine showering or bathing are a significant source of exposure. Studies have shown very limited absorption of PFAS through the skin.
Over time, our bodies can naturally eliminate PFAS mostly through urine, but the rate of elimination is slow and varies depending on the specific type of PFAS. Some studies suggest that it can take several years for the body to eliminate certain types of PFAS.
The Best Water Filters
We found the iSpring RCC7 is the best under-sink option for most people. It scored at the top for contaminant removal and taste and is relatively inexpensive to operate. Our favorite pitcher is the ZeroWater 10-Cup 5-Stage Pitcher. It scored well for both taste and contaminant removal.
Water filtration technologies that remove PFAS
In general, PFOS and PFOA resist most conventional chemical and microbial treatment technologies. The strongest proven technologies to filter PFAS out of drinking water include granular activated carbon absorption, ion exchange resins and reverse osmosis (1, 3).
Myth: "Teflon” is the same thing as PFOA. Fact: The Teflon™ brand is not PFOA. Teflon™ is a brand, owned by Chemours, not a product or material. This brand is used to market a range of products and should never be used as a generic term for a particular substance or a generic name for nonstick cookware coatings.
However, PFOA can be measured in blood for years after exposure. PFOA levels decline in blood naturally by about half every 2-4 years, assuming there is no additional exposure.
One of the most common and effective ways to purify water is reverse osmosis, which is sometimes also known as RO. RO purification is notable for removing even the tiniest contaminants from water while also converting high TDS (salty tasting) water into sweet-tasting drinkable water.
Experts warn against the prevailing belief that RO filtered water is healthiest, highlighting health risks due to mineral depletion. Maintaining TDS levels of 200-250 mg/L is crucial, retaining essential minerals. WHO and health professionals caution against excessive RO use.
With ZeroWater you don't have to soak the filter before replacing the old filter with a new one. ZeroWater is a superior product to Brita in more ways than one. Brita filters only have two stages where as ZeroWater has 5 stages to their filters.
What are PFAS? Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (together known as PFAS) are a class of man-made chemicals, not found naturally in the environment. PFOA (sometimes known as “C8”) and PFOS are the two PFAS that have been the most extensively produced and therefore are the most studied of these chemicals.
For the best water filter for PFAS, look no further than Pentair. Pentair carries affordable water filtration systems that are certified to reduce PFOS and PFOA concentrations in your drinking water by up to 98 percent when used as directed. Removing PFAS from water has never been easier.
Granular activated carbon systems, generally the least expensive treatment option, can remove some PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. They work by binding PFAS to a porous carbon surface.