Does Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS From Drinking Water?

Although water treatment topics don’t often make the news, one issue is becoming increasingly recognized: PFAS contamination.

PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are also known as forever chemicals because they take a long time to break down in the environment and in the human body. With increasing reports on their presence in water across North America – along with new PFAS regulations aimed at providing protection – many people are exploring how they can remove PFAS from drinking water to protect their health.

One of the most comprehensive solutions for PFAS contaminants in water is a reverse osmosis (RO) system. However, not all RO systems target PFAS – only those with the right type of filtration can effectively address this issue. Read on to learn more about the relationship between RO and forever chemical treatment, including how to find the right solution for your needs.

Reverse Osmosis Is a Top Choice for PFAS

To understand the power of RO as a PFAS solution, it’s important to understand how reverse osmosis works.

In the reverse osmosis filtration process, water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane, which filters out components as small as a single atom. Potential contaminants addressed in this phase include heavy metals like lead, mercury and chromium. However, the most effective reverse osmosis systems don’t stop there. They use multiple stages of filtration before and after RO. That’s where PFAS treatment can occur.

In the Culligan Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis System, for example, the addition of the Total Defense filtration cartridge is what makes the solution third-party certified for the reduction of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common types of PFAS.

Explore Reverse Osmosis Treatment Systems

If your goal is PFAS removal, be sure to choose a reverse osmosis solution with the right type of additional filtration stage. Look for certification to the NSF/ANSI 53 standard for PFOA and PFOS from an accredited third-party organization (like the Water Quality Association) for specific contaminant reduction.

Carbon Filters and Other Water Treatment Solutions

Reverse osmosis isn’t the only type of water treatment you can use at home, nor is an RO filter the only choice for all your treatment goals. But can other filter systems address PFAS?

With the right filtration media and approach, the answer is yes. Systems that use granulated activated carbon and/or a PFAS-specific ion exchange resin can also be effective to address PFAS chemicals. These can either be point-of-use systems, like an RO, or a system that treats water for the whole home at the point of entry. Either way, you should still look for the same third-party certification for PFOA/PFAS.

Of course, when it comes to reverse osmosis vs. other filtration types, RO has advantages. It’s one of the most comprehensive solutions for a broad array of tap water quality issues, particularly when compared to fridge or pitcher filters. You may be able to find a pitcher or fridge filter certified for PFOA/PFOS reduction, but they’re not likely to address nearly as many additional potential water issues as a reverse osmosis system.*

A complete RO system can address dozens of potential contaminants including lead, mercury, viruses, bacteria, pesticides and more. Plus, reverse osmosis treatment can happen right under your kitchen sink — which means you’ll get cleaner, safer water every time you turn on the tap.

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Does Boiling Water Help with PFAS?

Boiling water can sometimes be a valuable option during certain emergencies or contamination events as identified by local water authorities. But does this solution work for PFAS removal, too? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Boiling is only effective for biological contaminants like bacteria and viruses, and regardless, it’s neither comprehensive nor convenient enough for long-term use.

A Look at PFAS in Water

One of the biggest benefits of RO systems is that you don’t need any specialized knowledge to make them work. You don’t even need to know all the different types of contaminants they address. However, that background information is sometimes helpful for other reasons — particularly when it comes to PFAS exposure.

For example, it’s important to know just how widespread PFAS chemicals have become. Thanks to their oil- and water-resistant properties, they’ve been used in a variety of products since the 1950s, including non-stick pans, food packaging, personal care products and firefighting foam. That means they’ve had decades to build up and spread throughout the environment. Research has found high concentrations of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources around the world, particularly in Australia, China, Europe and North America.

Water is one of the most common sources of PFAS exposure — but not just in your drinking glass. That same water also supplies the plants and animals that make up a significant portion of North American diets. PFAS chemicals move through the food chain and can build up before reaching your plate. This process is called bioaccumulation, which also can occur inside your body as these chemicals are ingested over time.

What does all of this mean for your health? Researchers are still learning about potential effects, but current studies show potential connections between PFAS and:

• Certain types of cancers
• Increased cholesterol levels
  Reduced vaccine response
• Altered thyroid function
• Immune system impacts

For these reasons and more, regulators are updating their approaches to PFAS recommendations and limitations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released new drinking water regulations to protect millions of Americans from PFAS pollution. In 2023, the Government of Canada published a draft report on PFAS in the country, perhaps intending to inform updates to its drinking water objectives.

However, even the latest regulations leave a lot of work to be done. In Canadian groundwater with no known contamination source, 69% of samples exceeded Health Canada’s guidelines. Another study found that about 45% of U.S. tap water samples had at least one kind of PFAS chemical — and there are thousands of other types in the same family. Some have even been found in your packaged sparkling water drinks.

What Can You Do?

As the world learns more about the ongoing impacts of PFAS chemicals on our environments, bodies and futures, it’s important to know your options. Fortunately, there are other ways to limit your exposure with some informed decision-making.

Start by taking charge of your own water supply. A reverse osmosis filtration system helps limit the amount of PFAS molecules flowing through your tap, and that means less exposure when cooking or cleaning food, washing dishes and filling your drinking glass.

You can also learn more about contamination sources. If you live near a known source, you can research how this might impact the air and soil near your home. You can also check your local Consumer Confidence Report to see if your municipal water provider is testing for PFAS (although this won’t apply to private wells).

Finally, try to limit your use of any product containing PFAS chemicals. Examples include waterproof items like clothing and grease-resistant products like paper or cooking utensils.

Test and Treat Your Drinking Water for PFAS

If you want to learn more about your tap water, testing is the best place to start. A free in-home test by a water expert can give you plenty of information about common contaminants like chlorine and iron; along the way, your expert can explain the details of a professional lab test, which will identify more complex impurities including PFAS.

Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation to take the first step.

*Contaminants may not be present in your drinking water.