How Safe Is Your Tap Water?
Removing Plastic Pollutants Once and for All
Have you ever wondered what’s really in your tap water? Chances are, it contains tiny plastic particles known as PFAs that are nearly impossible to avoid. These harmful chemicals are in everything from nonstick pans to stain-resistant carpets and clothing. The bad news is they eventually end up in our water systems and flow right through most standard filters and into your glass. The good news is new advanced water filters can remove nearly all traces of these pollutants, giving you access to clean, contaminant-free H2O right from your own faucet. Keep reading to find out how PFAs end up in your water, the health risks associated with long term exposure, and the best solutions for filtering them out once and for all so you can feel good about every refreshing sip. Your health and safety are worth the investment in clean water.
The Plastic Problem:
How PFAs End Up in Your Tap Water
The sad truth is, plastic pollutants like perfluorinated alkyl substances or PFAs, are likely in your tap water right now. These “forever chemicals” don’t break down and are linked to health issues. Here’s how they end up in your water and what you can do:
PFAS were once used to make products like Teflon nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics. Now banned, they’ve seeped into the soil and groundwater, contaminating water sources. Municipal water treatment can’t remove them, so they flow right into your home.
- Buy a water filter certified to remove PFAs like reverse osmosis or granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. RO systems can remove up to 99% of contaminants using a membrane, while GAC filters use activated carbon to trap chemicals.
- For the best protection, choose a whole-house water filter that treats all the water entering your home so you have peace of mind drinking from any faucet. Point-of-use filters for your kitchen sink are also helpful.
No one wants to think about plastic pollution in their H2O. But by understanding the issue and taking steps to filter PFAs from your tap water, you can protect your family and support companies working to solve this problem. Together, we can all advocate for improved water quality standards and a future with cleaner, safer water for everyone.
Health Impacts:
Why You Should Be Concerned About PFA Exposure
These toxic chemicals are nearly impossible to avoid, showing up in everything from nonstick pans to pizza boxes, but your drinking water is the last place you want to find them. PFAs like PFOA and PFOs, used to make products stain and stick-resistant, have been linked to some serious health issues:
- High cholesterol and obesity. Studies show PFA exposure may lead to weight gain and high cholesterol. Not exactly what you want in your morning glass of water.
- Hormone imbalance. PFAs are known endocrine disruptors that can throw your hormones out of whack. Even small amounts may impact fertility, puberty, and thyroid function.
- Developmental issues. Exposure to PFAs, especially in the womb or during childhood, may have lifelong impacts. Possible effects include low birth weight, immune system problems, and learning or behavioral disorders.
- Cancer risk. While not definitively proven, PFAs are suspected carcinogens that may increase the risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The unfortunate truth is that PFAs are nearly ubiquitous in groundwater and municipal systems across the U.S. and worldwide. An activated carbon water filter is the best way to remove these toxic forever chemicals from your tap water for peace of mind and better health. Your body and family deserve water free from plastic pollutants—why not take action today? Safe, clean water is a matter of health and safety for all.
Solutions for Safer Drinking Water:
PFA Water Filter Options
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters are very effective at removing PFAs and other contaminants from tap water. They work by adsorbing chemicals onto porous carbon particles.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis or RO systems push water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps contaminants. RO systems can remove up to 99% of PFAs and other pollutants.
Whole-House Filtration
For the most comprehensive filtration, you can install a whole-house system that combines multiple methods, such as a sediment pre-filter plus an RO system and an activated carbon filter. These tend to provide the best protection for your health but have the highest upfront costs. Any of these options will give you the reassurance that the water from your tap poses no threat from the PFA pollutants that have contaminated so many water supplies. Drink up – your glass is safe again!
So, there you have it, the lowdown on how polluted your tap water may be with plastic contaminants and what you can do about it. Installing an under-sink or whole-house filtration system with a reverse osmosis membrane is really the only way to get these pesky PFAs out of your water for good. Yes, it may cost you upfront, but think of it as an investment in your family’s health and well-being for years to come. Drink up that crisp, clean water and rest assured you’re reducing your exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals with every glass. Your body and the planet will thank you. The power to keep plastic out of our water supply is in our hands. Let’s make our voices heard and demand change so that one day we don’t have to filter the plastics out ourselves. But until then, filter on!
What's in My Water?
Does your water taste funny? Smell odd? Look, well… not normal? We can help.
If you’ve noticed one indication, several, or are simply concerned with the quality of your water, our EcoWater professionals are qualified to perform an easy and comprehensive in-home water analysis to recommend the right solution for you.
Whether it is hard water treatment or a remedy for another water issue, stop worrying about “what’s in my water” and take action so you can get back to enjoying your water.
To receive a FREE water test from the experts at Mid-MO Water Solutions, contact us today!