Protect Yourself & Your Family from PFAS
Install a Water Filter that is Certified to Remove PFAS
There are many water filters on the market—but not all of them reduce PFAS. If you decide to use a filter, make sure it is “NSF/ANSI-53 or NSF/ANSI-58 Certified for Total PFAS Reduction.” You will find these certifications on the packaging of the water filter or, if you are buying a filter online, on the web page.
You can also search for water filters on the websites of the NSF or the Water Quality Association.
How to Search the NSF Database
Visit the NSF searchable database.
Select “Consumer and Retail Products.”
Choose the standard NSF-53.
Under reduction claim, select “Total PFAS Reduction.”
Hit submit to see a list of certified products.
You’ll find there are only a small number of filters currently certified. Filters with NSF-53 certification for Total PFAS reduction can reduce these harmful chemicals—PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFDA—to a combined total of 20 ppt or less. (1)
How to search the Water Quality Association database
Visit the Water Quality Association database
Under contaminant, choose “Total PFAS.”
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Water filters can be installed at the point of entry, where the water enters your home, or at the point of use, such as the faucet on your kitchen sink.
In general, point-of-use filter options include water pitchers, faucet-mounted filters, countertop filters, under-the-counter filters, and filters integrated into refrigerator doors.
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Charcoal (Granular Activated Carbon or GAC): These filters use carbon to bind with chemicals like PFAS as water passes through the filter. NSF-53 is the standard that applies to GAC filters.
Ion exchange filters utilize ion beads to attract contaminants while allowing water to pass through. This process may be combined with granular activated carbon.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through an extremely thin membrane with tiny pores that block contaminants like PFAS while allowing water through. NSF-58 is the standard that applies to reverse osmosis systems.
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Filters are only effective if they are maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that you replace filters according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule and only use the replacement filter that the manufacturer recommends. Otherwise, the filter may not adequately filter out PFAS.
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Massachusetts requires all bottled water and carbonated drinks sold in the state to be tested for PFAS and have PFAS levels below the state’s standard. Every quarter, the state issues a list of bottlers approved to sell water and carbonated drinks at the PFAS Bottled Water Pilot Program.
Avoid Consumer Products with PFAS
Some “green” certifications exclude PFAS, and others do not. Here is a quick guide to green certifications, including the products they cover and whether they address PFAS.
Products likely to have PFAS include:
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Carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture, jackets and raincoats, umbrellas, shoes/boots, clothing, especially school uniforms, underwear, mattresses, mattress pads, pillows, changing tables, sheets, and comforters.
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Anything with PTFE or “fluoro” on the label or anything labelled “long-lasting or “waterproof”, including lipstick, mascara, and foundation. You can find information about cosmetic ingredients at EWG’s Skin Deep.
Many personal care products have PFAS. For example, when choosing dental floss, look for nylon or silk floss that is either uncoated or coated in natural wax. Some examples of floss and other products without PFAS are at PFAS Central.
Menstrual products and diapers may have PFAS. Mamavation has the results of tests on these products, as well as many others, on its website.
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Choose cookware made of cast iron, stainless steel, glass, or enamel. Don’t be fooled by “non-stick” cookware advertised as PFOA-free. These products often have other PFAS.
If you can’t replace your non-stick cookware, reduce the heat. Don’t preheat non-stick cookware and never use it in an oven heated at or above 400 degrees.
Never use steel wool or other abrasive cleaners on non-stick items, as this can release the coating into your food or the environment.
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If you order food “to go”, take your food out of the packaging as soon as possible. Consider bringing your own reusable containers. Avoid storing or reheating food in food packaging.
If you buy food packaging and disposable paper products, such as plates, cups, and bowls, look for the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) logo. The Biodegradable Products Institute certifies products as safe for composting and prohibits PFAS in these products.
Consider alternatives to disposable plastic snack and sandwich bags, since there is some evidence that these may contain high levels of PFAS.
Microwave popcorn bags, including organic products, often have PFAS coatings inside that can leach into your snack and release into the air when you open the bag.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides information on PFAS-free cleaners and waxes on their Cleaners List.
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Many building products, including paints, caulks, flooring, photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps, and plumber’s tape, contain PFAS. There are now PFAS-free options available for many of these products. Some products, such as air source heat pumps, have PFAS-containing refrigerants; however, PFAS-free options are available in Europe and are expected to become available in the United States within 5-7 years. It will take research to find alternatives to things like plumber’s tape.
PFAS-free Product Guides
Here are some additional tips and PFAS-free product guides:
Medical Monitoring
Get a Blood Test
If you believe you have been exposed to high levels of PFAS, talk to your doctor. Request a blood test to determine the level of PFAS in your blood. Find out how to get a test and assess results at the PFAS Exchange.
Monitor Your Health through Medical Screening
If the levels of PFAS in your blood are high, you may want to consider medical screening.
Medical screening is testing for early signs of disease. Medical screening may identify early indicators of disease, allowing you to work with your clinician to determine the next steps.
Many of the medical screening recommendations for PFAS are part of your regular physical, such as monitoring for cholesterol and checking for testicular cancer. Your doctor may also consider including other basic tests recommended in current medical screening guidance for PFAS. See more at www.pfas-exchange.org/resources.
