PFAs, also known as Forever Chemicals, have taken center stage in the news cycle lately – and for good reason. Just this past October, John Oliver devoted an entire segment on Last Week Tonight to PFAs and the dangers they present.
We’ve also seen a lot of news about PFAs locally, including the following:
“At Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, tests at the Air National Guard Base found PFAS in the groundwater at levels thousands of times in excess of the EPA’s health advisory level.”
So let’s dig into what PFAs are, what that means for your water supply, and how Blue Planet Plumbing can help.
What are PFAS and Forever Chemicals?
PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances) are manmade chemicals that have been widely used worldwide since the 1950s to make everyday consumer products including water-repelling and stain-resistant clothing and fabrics, cleaning products, leather, non-stick cookware, paints, and firefighting foams. In fact, most products that resist grease, water, and oil contain these forever chemicals.
Why the Fuss?
PFAs get into local water supplies and stay there – and they accumulate. That is why they’ve been nicknamed Forever Chemicals. They remain in the environment and in the human body for a very long time. These chemicals are carcinogenic and have been linked to a host of health problems including cancers, immunity deficiencies, and even developmental effects in unborn children.
How PFAs Circulate and Accumulate
As PFAS are produced and used, they can migrate into soil and water. The following illustration shows how PFAs move into our water systems and end up in our drinking water, air, and food.
Forever Chemicals in Western NC Water Supplies
While the Asheville City Water supply passes muster on most national clean water safety requirements, we’re living in a time where the science has outpaced policy. That means that the water you drink may have contaminants levels that are legal, but not ok. To be frank, industries have developed a chemical they cannot contain, and the EPA is very behind.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), is a nonprofit that works to shine a spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to human health and the health of our environment. They’ve recently published an interactive PFAs Contamination map of the United States.
Their research shows PFAs detected in the water supplies of Asheville, Black Mountain, and Brevard.
What You Can Do About It
We cannot remove PFAs from the water supply (the problem with FOREVER chemicals), but we can filter them from your home water system.
The Infinity PROTECTOR whole home water filtration system effectively reduces or removes lead, PFAS (forever chemicals), cysts (giardia & cryptosporidium), chlorine/chloramine, and other contaminants from your home’s water.
Blue Planet Plumbing is the only Certified Dealer of Infinity Protector Whole home water filtration systems. Learn more about Blue Planet Water Filtration and schedule an appointment below. We’re more than happy to discuss how to improve your water systems and your health.
