04 Jan Fairfield Water Quality: PFAS, what are they and why do they matter?

Best Plumber Fairfield | Fairfield Water Quality and PFAS

Should I Worry About PFAS and Fairfield Water Quality?

You may have recently noticed more and more news articles talking about PFAS in drinking water. It stands  for “per and polyfluoroalkyl substances”. Aside from having a confusing name, PFAS are used in many ways. While PFAS have many important uses, they can also have harmful effects. This is why it is important to understand them. Additionally, it is important to understand why you don’t want them in your water.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a popular surface coating because they are resistant to heat, water, and oil. To try and put it more simply, PFAS are used to make products more durable. For example, PFAS can make things stain and water repellent. They are commonly used on furniture and clothing, as well as non-stick cookware. Additionally, fire departments use PFAS in firefighting foam. While they are very useful in our everyday lives, PFAS are a problem. The actual chemicals that create this resistant compound are very slow to breakdown. Because of this, PFAS have earned the nickname the “forever chemical”. Of course, we want our stain and water repellent items to stay that way for a long time. The problem arises when people end up exposed to PFAS either through the environment or water supply overtime. PFAS are able to accumulate and build up, leading to potential health problems. Scientists don’t fully understand the health risks around PFAS, but they are working hard to study them.

The potential health effects of PFAS include*:

• The risks associated with many PFAS chemicals are largely unknown; however, there is evidence that exposure to low levels of PFOA and PFOS can lead to health impacts in humans.
• The likelihood of potential adverse effects depends on factors such as the concentration of PFAS ingested as well as the time span of exposure.
• Research has shown potential health impacts of PFOA/PFOS exposure include low infant birth weight, decreased fertility, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation, weakening of the immune system, and testicular and kidney cancer.
• Scientists are conducting research to better understand the health impacts from other PFAS chemicals.

*provided by the Water Quality Association (WQA)

PFAS in the Water Supply

PFAS get into our body in different ways, but generally it takes an accumulation of exposure for it to be detectable. We get PFAS from food packaging, like microwave popcorn. You can inhale PFAS if you work in a chemical plant. But most troublesome, is that PFAS are being found in our drinking water. The Environmental Working Group, a consumer-education nonprofit, estimates that 1,500 drinking water systems across the country may be contaminated, affecting 110 million Americans. If you want to check for PFAS in your water supply, you can view an interactive map from the EWG. As of July 2020, PFAS have been detected in 49 states, and in many major cities.

Here is a map of water supplies around Fairfield and Sacramento that have been found to have PFAS:

How to Remove PFAS From My Water

While there are over 5,000 types of PFAS, the EPA has NO enforceable limits on PFAS in our water supplies. That is to say, even though we are learning that they are harmful, we are still likely years away from Federal changes to eliminate this toxin from our water. So, how can you keep yourself safe from PFAS?

First, try to avoid using food and drink items that use PFAS in their packaging. This would be things like microwave popcorn, take out boxes, pizza boxes. Additionally, if you use non-stick cookware, be sure not to overheat it, and to make sure it is in good condition.

If you want to remove PFAS from your water, then you should call AAP today! Our water experts will go over all of your options based specifically on your tap water contaminants. This could include carbon-type filters or reverse osmosis systems. Some of our customers prefer the benefits of a whole home water filtration system. No matter your need, Always Affordable Plumbing in Fairfield and Sacramento partners with only the highest quality and most reliable home water treatment systems to provide you with the cleanest, safest water possible.

Interested in learning more about your Fairfield tap water? CALL AAP TODAY and one of our trained water technicians will perform an in-home water test for you. Then they will go over the results, explain any findings, and go over options if you want to know how to make your water safer. All this for FREE, with NO OBLIGATION!

Service, quality, and affordability for our customers always comes first. Call today to schedule your appointment!

For our great plumbing tips and updates, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

CLICK HERE to learn more about clearing a slow drain

Find out more about Always Affordable Plumbing (Lic. #1003782) by calling (916) 970-0188 for Sacramento plumbing service and (707) 410-3183 for Fairfield and Solano County plumbing service.

Best Plumber Fairfield | Fairfield Water Quality and PFAS