On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposed the first national and legally enforceable drinking water standard on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to reduce exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

The federal limit follows a 2022 EPA advisory warning that several PFAS are more toxic than previously thought and indicates that these chemicals are dangerous at virtually any level in tap water. 

Under the new rules, a maximum contaminant level of PFAS will be capped at four parts per trillion (ppt), the lowest detectable level of chemicals in water. Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate PFOA and PFOS, the two most widespread types of PFAS, from water levels entirely.

All public water systems have to complete initial testing and inform the public of the PFAS levels in the next three years. If a water system were to exceed the 4 ppt limit, the new rules would mandate that they would have to reduce PFAS levels within five years. 

To achieve this goal, drinking water systems will determine the best filtration technology for their community. Available technologies and approaches include granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange systems.

PFAS, known as forever chemicals due to their nearly indestructible nature, contaminate water in all 50 states, exposing 200 million Americans daily to many health risks including cancer, thyroid disease, and organ damage. Data from the EPA shows that at least 70 million Americans are drinking water from systems with PFAS levels that exceed the new limit. 

PFAS have been found to have negative effects on multiple systems of the body, even at relatively low levels in drinking water. Research has linked PFAS with certain diseases and health risks like:

• kidney, testicular and breast cancer 

• thyroid disease

• high cholesterol and high blood pressure

• cardiovascular issues

• ulcerative colitis (IBD)

• liver damage

• weakened immune system 

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• hormone imbalance

PFAS exposure can be dangerous to pregnant women, infants, and children. Here are additional health effects linked to PFAS for pregnant women and children: 

• skeletal variations (congenital disabilities)

• low birth weight

• decreased response to vaccines

• increased likelihood of miscarriage 

• preeclampsia during pregnancy

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA is announcing nearly $1 billion in newly available funding to implement PFAS testing and treatment for public water systems and private well owners to address PFAS contamination. The funding is part of a $9 billion investment to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

Rest assured, our advanced filtration systems can remove up to 99.81% of PFAS in your water. Our Filtered Water Pitcher is the one and only pitcher filter certified by the prestigious Water Quality Association to remove up to 99.0% of PFOA & PFOS from drinking water, and our Universal Inline Fridge Filter and 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System both can remove up to 99.81% of PFOA & PFOS as well. 

Head to our Lab Test Results page to view our performance data, and shop today to upgrade your water for the utmost protection against PFAS.