How to Test for PFAS in Water at Home?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) come in various forms and are present in many products such as fabrics that are water- and stain-resistant, non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, cleaning products, and firefighting foams. The man-made chemicals were introduced in the 1940s. Although their production in the US has been discontinued, there are still plenty of products in existence and others continue to be imported. The problem with PFAS is that they are now known to be toxic and can cause or aggravate a variety of serious health issues. That problem is compounded by the fact that PFAS don’t break down easily and so can remain in the human body for a very long time. The long-term and common use of PFAS chemicals means they’re now very widespread in the water supply throughout the US.

Why Testing is Necessary and How to Test for PFAS in Drinking Water

The problem of PFAS is so great and so widespread that you really need to know if it’s in your water. If you use municipal water, your supplier will produce an annual water quality report, but this may not tell you everything you need to know, plus municipal suppliers are unlikely to be removing PFAS if they are present. If you use well water, it’s up to you to ensure that it’s safe to consume. Either way, you really must test your water to see what’s in it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evaluated several testing methods and decided that Method 357, which tests for eighteen PFAS analytes, is the most effective. Other methods are cheaper but less effective while Method 533 has been developed subsequently and Method 1633 is now the overarching method for PFAS testing. Testing should always be conducted by a laboratory that’s certified by the EPA and other bodies such as the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) and the US Department of Defense (DOD). If you collect a sample yourself, you need to ensure that it’s not contaminated by coming into contact with anything that may have PFAS, such as any products that are resistant to water, stains, heat, or oil.

Peace of Mind through Effective Testing

Testing your water is a serious matter and isn’t something that you can do yourself or afford to leave in the hands of an unqualified organization. If you need peace of mind and to protect the health of you and your family, get in touch without delay. We can conduct a free test of your water that will check for the presence of PFAS and other contaminants as well as determine the hardness of your water. Once we know the determination of the condition of your water, we can supply and install the required RO equipment that will resolve it. A reverse osmosis system is proven to be effective at removing PFAS and many other contaminants. We can combine this with other treatments, such as granular activated carbon filters, specialty filters, and water softeners, to deliver the most comprehensive treatment possible. The result will be water that tastes delicious and is as pure as possible, with virtually no PFAS chemicals or other contaminants. But the first essential step is to get your water tested.