Currently, an ongoing epidemic exists with regard to water quality throughout the USA. Through years of gradual accumulation, it has now reached critical mass and must be addressed immediately. The key element, known as PFAS or forever chemicals, will now be introduced. These are, by and large, colorless gases that are difficult to see, extremely durable, and widely distributed. Over the years, these substances have built up in bloodstreams, and if you consume tap water, there is a very good chance you have been affected by these chemicals. As a result, you should become aware of how this PFAS drinking water contamination can potentially impact your health and safety.
What exactly is PFAS?
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, also referenced as PFAS, consist of almost 15,000 chemicals. PFAS has been around since the late 1950s and continues to be found in several consumer products, such as:
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Nonstick Cookware
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Food Packaging for Fast Foods
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Stain-Resistant Carpeting and Fabric
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Waterproof Outdoor Apparel
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Firefighting Foam Found at Airports and Military Facilities
The chemical nature of PFAS compounds, which are referred to as ‘forever chemicals PFAS’, contributes to their harmfulness. They are primarily composed of carbon-carbon and carbon-fluorine bonds, both of which are two of the strongest chemical bonds known; therefore, synthetic PFAS will not decompose easily.
Furthermore, since PFAS do not readily decompose, they remain present in either the environment or the body for long periods of time and are thus classified as “forever chemicals”.
How Do We Get Exposed to PFAS?
PFAS contamination occurs throughout the United States and enters drinking water from factories, Army installations, landfills, and any location where PFAS-based products are utilized in the ground or applied to land, contributing to PFAS leaching from the land into both groundwater and public water supply systems.
Exposure to PFAS occurs through the following avenues:
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Consumption of contaminated PFAS drinking water;
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Consumption of food prepared with or packaged in PFAS-based products;
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Utilization of products that use PFAS as an ingredient; and
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Inhalation of small aerosolized particles containing PFAS through the air (via inhalation).
Due to PFAS's extreme stability, they have the ability to accumulate over time within the body.
The CDC reported that approximately 97% of all Americans possess PFAS in their blood, thereby highlighting how prevalent the issue is and underscoring the importance of understanding the sources of your PFAS drinking water.
Health Effects: What Does Science Say?
PFOA and PFOS are two widely-studied chemicals from the class of compounds collectively known as PFAS. Evidence demonstrates that PFOA PFOS health effects can lead to serious health consequences.
The National Toxicology Program has found that both PFOA and PFOS can cause the immune system to function poorly. This means your body will have more difficulty fighting off infection.
The following PFOA PFOS health effects have been associated with exposure to PFAS:
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Increased Cancer Risk
Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including thyroid cancer, when there has been exposure to PFOA and PFOS; additional research supports this association through research conducted in 2025. -
Weakened Immune System
Research shows that PFAS exposure may reduce one's immune response to vaccinations. -
Hormonal Developmental Issues
PFAS exposure may delay reaching puberty and, therefore, may bring a higher risk for developing breast cancer later in life. -
Decreased bone density
Adolescents exposed to PFAS may experience a decrease in bone density, leading to a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than would be expected based on gender. -
Liver Damage
PFAS may accumulate in the liver, and there are indications that exposure to PFAS can result in liver damage. Additionally, some studies suggest a potential link between PFAS and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. -
Type 2 Diabetes
Studies have shown a potential correlation between women exposed to PFAS chemicals and a greater prevalence of developing Type 2 diabetes. -
Obesity & Metabolic Disorders in Children
PFAS may play a role in the way your body regulates your body weight, and therefore, there may be a higher incidence of childhood obesity amongst children with exposure to these substances.
The number of current PFAS, however, is extensive, and not every potential health outcome is known yet due to the differences between individual PFAS and the limited amount of research completed regarding PFOA PFOS health effects.
How Big Is the Problem in Drinking Water?
PFAS has been identified in surface and ground water sources throughout the US, which is supported by research and mapping of PFAS drinking water. One study on young females found that after contacting the local water authority regarding high levels of PFOA, by utilizing proper filtration practices, the local water supply was able to eliminate 40-60% of PFAS from the water supply. This is significant as it demonstrates the ability of appropriate filtration technology to have a very positive impact on reducing the risk to consumers who regularly consume this contaminated water.
While organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency are continuing to identify solutions to PFAS drinking water contamination, the best measure to protect you and your family against potential exposure to PFAS continues to be filtering your water at home through the use of appropriate filtration technology.
How Can You Protect Your Family?
One of the simplest methods for effectively removing PFAS from your drinking water is to use a PEW-approved water filtration unit that has been tested and proven to filter out PFAS.
It's important to understand that not all water filters are capable of removing PFAS:
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Most pitcher-style filters remove only a small quantity of PFAS (along with many other impurities).
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Reverse osmosis will successfully eliminate PFAS, but it is costly, generates large quantities of wastewater, and drains away essential vitamins and minerals from your water supply.
A useful water filter system that fits the above criteria for treating PFAS drinking water is the Phoenix Gravity Water Filter.
The Phoenix Gravity Water Filter uses coconut shell carbon block technology to filter out PFAS. They have been tested to verify they will successfully remove PFAS, along with other contaminants such as lead, chlorine, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical remnants.
The key benefits of using Phoenix Gravity Water Filters for PFAS removal include:
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They do not require electricity and do not require installation.
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They retain healthy minerals found in water.
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They operate at only $0.05/gallon.
As a result, the Phoenix Gravity Water Filter systems are cost-effective and the best option available to help improve the quality of drinking water for you and your family.
Conclusion
In closing, PFAS contamination is a serious public health hazard in America today. 97% of people in the US have been found to have PFAS in their blood, and there is an increasing number of studies linking forever chemicals PFAS with cancer, damage to the immune system, and other serious health issues, such as liver disease and birth defects, forever.
The first step to addressing the issue of PFAS in your drinking water is to understand exactly what the problem is. From that point, your second step is to identify a quality drinking water filtration system.
Contact Phoenix Gravity today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are PFAS, and why are they called forever chemicals?
A chemical group called PFAS contains a wide range of man-made chemicals. These chemicals have extremely strong chemical bonds, and as a result of this, they can withstand breakdown both in the ecosystem and in the body. Due to their longevity, they are known as "forever chemicals PFAS.
Q2. How do PFAS get into drinking water?
PFAS originates from sources such as manufacturing plants, military sites, landfills, and airplane firefighting foam. Once PFAS enter water systems, they tend to spread rapidly and are very difficult to eliminate from those systems.
Q3. What are the most serious health effects of PFAS?
These include weakened immunity, increased risk of developing cancer, damage to the liver, type II diabetes among women, delayed onset of puberty among females, decreased bone density, and disruption of metabolic processes.
Q4. Does the Phoenix Gravity Water Filter remove PFAS?
Yes, the Phoenix Gravity Water Filter employs independent testing and certified carbon block filters for filtering out PFAS and more than 100 other contaminants, such as lead, chlorine, microplastics, and drug residues, among others.
Q5. Why choose Phoenix Gravity over other filters?
The filter utilizes high-purity coconut shell carbon filters, which have been shown to be hundreds of times more efficient than standard pitcher filters. In addition, the filter is made of stainless steel, does not require any electrical power to operate, and is very affordable. The Phoenix Gravity Water Filter is manufactured by a company with 50 years of experience, and it includes a long-term satisfaction guarantee.