PFAS Testing & Treatment

Providing the safest and cleanest drinking water for your family will always be a priority. That’s why it’s important to understand what PFASs are and how dangerous they can be.

What are PFAs?

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) are two types of chemicals in the PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) group. These chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because they stay in the environment for a long time and are hard to remove.

The EPA says that PFAS are chemicals made by humans and used in many products since the 1940s. There are thousands of PFAS, but some are used and studied more than others. Even though PFOA and PFOS are now replaced by other PFAS, they still pose a significant health risk. To learn more, visit the EPA website.

Where can PFAS be found?

Not only are humans at risk, but because PFAS break down so slowly, they can build up in animals and the environment over time. Along with contaminating drinking water, PFAS are also found in a handful of other places including:

Food and food packaging.
The air you breathe.
Soil and water at or near waste sites.
Household products such as cleaning products or non-stick cookware.
Personal care products such as shampoo, dental floss and cosmetics.
The manufacturing of plastic and rubber and insulation for wiring.
Fire extinguishing foam used in training and emergency response events at airports, shipyards, military bases, firefighting training facilities, chemical plants and refineries.
Biosolids such as fertilizer from wastewater treatment plants that are used on agricultural lands.

What are the risks of PFAS?

As far as how those PFAS affect people’s health, they can have different effects depending on a host of factors such as age and exposure level.

Exposure to PFAS can lead to:

Decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
Increased risk of some cancers such as prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
Increased cholesterol levels and a risk of obesity.
Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.
Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
Interference with the body’s natural hormones.

All of the information above can be found Here on the EPA’s website.

How to avoid PFAS: Testing & Treatment

Protect Your Family from Harmful Chemicals with Basin Water Solutions

Basin Water Solutions offers a variety of options to keep your family safe from harmful PFAS chemicals. Our PFAS testing and treatment process begins with testing your water to identify the chemicals present. We then discuss the best treatment options for your needs.

Effective PFAS Removal with Activated Carbon Filtration

Both Whole House Water Filtration and Reverse Osmosis systems use Activated Carbon filtration to absorb natural and synthetic chemicals. Activated carbon is highly porous, providing a large surface area for contaminants to adsorb. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Activated Carbon effectively removes PFAS from drinking water when used in a flow-through filter mode after particulates have been removed. Powdered activated carbon is another effective option.

Proven Results with Activated Carbon Filters

A recent study by the Water Quality Research Foundation revealed that Activated Carbon filters remove 98.1% to 99.9% of all PFAS tested. You can read more about the study here. These methods are excellent for cleaning and purifying your water. Basin Water Solutions provides installation, repair, and maintenance of these systems with superior customer service.