These compounds are now so ubiquitous, that an estimated 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations in their blood. That's concerning, since studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects, both in animals and humans.
Studies have found PFAS worldwide at very low levels in just about everyone's blood. Higher blood levels have been found in communities where local water supplies have been contaminated by PFAS. People exposed to PFAS in the workplace can have levels many times higher.
One report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found PFAS in the blood of 97 percent of Americans2. A more recent NHANES report suggested a reduction in blood levels of PFOS and PFOA since their removal from consumer products in the early 2000s.
Even though PFAS are lurking in the drinking water of most states, some have incredibly high levels of these harmful chemicals in their water supplies. The state with the highest PFAS concentrations in drinking water is, by far, Michigan.
The best way to reduce PFAS levels in your blood is to reduce your exposure to PFAS. For most people, consumer products that are grease, oil, stain and/or water resistant are a much greater source of PFAS exposure than drinking water.
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.
Both blood donation and plasma donation led to meaningful reductions in PFOS and PFHxS levels after 12 months. Plasma donation led to lower PFOS levels than blood donation, but both were quite a bit lower than not donating at all: The plasma donation group had 2.9 ng/mL reduction in PFOS.
These compounds are now so ubiquitous, that an estimated 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations in their blood. That's concerning, since studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects, both in animals and humans.
Are Brita Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS? Yes, the Brita Elite Filter is certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to reduce perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—specifically PFOS and PFOA—in drinking water. The Standard Brita filter is not certified for the removal of PFOS or PFOA.
Does Waiākea Have PFAS? Nope! Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water has no PFAS in any of its products, including its sparkling and non-carbonated water. In fact, Waiākea is one of few bottled water brands to have no detectable (ND) levels of PFAS in its still or sparkling water.
Those results were confirmed in the NHANES group. Participants who consumed more tea, hot dogs and processed meats had higher PFAS levels; eating more home-prepared food was linked to lower PFAS levels.
The most inclusive definitions of PFAS include common drugs, such as Cipro, Prozac, and Flonase.
All PFAS can leave the body over time through urine, blood, or breast milk.
Other types of common water treatment systems, such as water softeners or iron filtration systems, are not likely to remove PFAS. Boiling water will not remove PFAS. While many homes have whole-house water softening or iron filtration systems, sampling data indicate that those systems do NOT remove PFAS.
The good news: More and more mainstream brands, such as H&M, Zara, and Levi Strauss & Co are producing affordable PFAS-free collections, but we love the below brands because they are both PFAS-free and sustainably made with organic materials.
There is no current treatment to remove PFAS from the body; this means that preventing and/or reducing future exposures is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and your family.
The lawsuit alleges that by writing on their labels that their filters “Reduce 3X contaminants,” Brita has falsely given consumers the impression that the filter removes “arsenic, chromium-6, nitrate and nitrites” and other chemicals, including PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” It does not mention misleading ...
Water filtration technologies that remove PFAS
The LifeStraw Home Pitcher is one of the most effective products to combat PFAS; its dual filtration technology combines membrane microfiltration with activated carbon and advanced ion exchange technology to remove PFOA and PFOS from water.
PFAS don't easily break down and can persist in our bodies and the environment for decades. Today, more than 97% of the U.S. population have PFAS in their bloodstream.
EU - Update from ECHA and five Member States on the PFAS Restriction. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have released a progress update on the process to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe.
No, distilled water generally does not have PFAS. While boiling water on your stovetop may not be an effective way to remove PFAS (and can actually concentrate them!), distillation can effectively separate these harmful chemicals from your drinking water.
Nearly all people in the United States have measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood. Blood tests for PFAS are most useful when they are part of a scientific investigation or health study. A blood test for PFAS will not identify a current or future health problem or provide information on treatment.
Believe it or not, donating blood has some health benefits. Regular blood donation can help maintain healthy iron levels, reduce stress, provide a sense of belonging, and reduce isolation. It can also help get rid of negative feelings!
The nanobubble ozone technology, or NBOT, coupled with ultraviolet (UV) light is now a U.S. patent protected process useful in destroying the forever chemicals, per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).