What Are PFAS "Forever Chemicals"?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals characterized by extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds — the strongest in organic chemistry. This bond is what makes them "forever chemicals": they don't break down naturally in the environment or in your body.
The EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025) tested US public water systems for 29 specific PFAS compounds plus lithium. Five of those compounds now have enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
Understanding "ppt" — Parts Per Trillion
EPA limits for PFAS are expressed in parts per trillion (ppt). To visualize how small this is: 4 ppt is equivalent to 4 drops of water in 250 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
These levels sound impossibly small, but PFAS compounds are biologically active at extremely low concentrations and accumulate in the body over a lifetime of daily exposure. Even trace levels matter.
Regulated PFAS EPA MCL in Effect
These five compounds have federally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels. Water systems must test for them and take action if limits are exceeded.
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Immune suppression
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Kidneys, liver, thyroid, immune system
Teflon/non-stick cookware manufacturing, food packaging, stain-resistant coatings. DuPont's Washington Works plant in WV was a major historical source.
PFOS
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Developmental harm in children
- High cholesterol
- Liver damage
Kidneys, bladder, thyroid, liver
Firefighting foam (AFFF) at military bases and airports. Scotchgard fabric protector (3M). Banned in the US in 2002 but persists in the environment.
HFPO-DA
GenX (Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid)
- Classified possible human carcinogen
- Kidney toxicity
- Liver damage
- Developmental toxicity
- Immune effects
Kidneys, liver, thyroid
Manufactured by Chemours as a PFOA replacement at the Fayetteville Works plant in NC. Heavily contaminates the Cape Fear River basin.
PFHxS
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid
- Thyroid disease
- Developmental harm
- Liver toxicity
- Neurodevelopmental effects in children
- Immune suppression
Thyroid, liver, brain (developmental)
Used as a PFOS replacement in firefighting foam and stain-resistant products. Found in groundwater near industrial sites and military bases.
PFNA
Perfluorononanoic acid
- Thyroid disruption
- Immune suppression
- Liver toxicity
- Reproductive toxicity
- Low birth weight
Thyroid, liver, reproductive system
Fluoropolymer manufacturing byproduct. Found near plants in NJ, NC, and TX. Less common than PFOA/PFOS but frequently detected together.
Monitored but Unregulated PFAS
These compounds were measured in UCMR 5 but currently have no federal MCL. Absence of a legal limit does not mean absence of risk — many are under active EPA review.
| Abbreviation | Full Name | Federal MCL |
|---|---|---|
| PFBS | Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid | No federal limit |
| PFHxA | Perfluorohexanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFBA | Perfluorobutanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFDA | Perfluorodecanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFUnA | Perfluoroundecanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFPeA | Perfluoropentanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFHpA | Perfluoroheptanoic acid | No federal limit |
| 6:2 FTS | 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | No federal limit |
| 8:2 FTS | 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | No federal limit |
| NMeFOSAA | N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid | No federal limit |
| NEtFOSAA | N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid | No federal limit |
| FOSA | Perfluorooctane sulfonamide | No federal limit |
| ADONA | 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid | No federal limit |
| PFEESA | Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid | No federal limit |
How to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water
Reverse Osmosis — Most Effective (90–99.9% removal)
RO systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane that physically blocks PFAS molecules. Look for NSF/ANSI 58 or NSF P473 certification. Under-sink units range $150–$600; countertop RO systems are also available with no installation required.
Activated Carbon — Effective for Long-Chain PFAS
High-quality granular activated carbon (GAC) or carbon block removes PFOA and PFOS effectively but is less reliable for short-chain PFAS. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification. Available in pitcher form ($30–$100) and under-sink units ($100–$300).
Standard Pitcher Filters Do NOT Remove PFAS
Basic Brita, PUR, and similar filters using standard carbon are not certified for PFAS removal. If PFAS above the MCL is detected in your water, you need a filter specifically certified for PFAS under NSF/ANSI 58 or NSF P473.
Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the acronyms and technical terms you'll encounter on CheckPFAS.
- MCL — Maximum Contaminant Level
- The highest amount of a contaminant legally permitted in public drinking water, set by the EPA. Water utilities must notify customers and take corrective action if their water exceeds the MCL. PFOA and PFOS have an MCL of 4 ppt; PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA have an MCL of 10 ppt.
- ppt — Parts Per Trillion
- The unit of measurement for PFAS in water. 1 ppt = 1 nanogram per liter (ng/L). To visualize: 4 ppt is equivalent to 4 drops of water dissolved in 250 Olympic-sized swimming pools. These levels sound vanishingly small, but PFAS accumulate in the body over years.
- PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
- An umbrella term for a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals. All share extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds that resist breaking down in water, soil, or the human body — hence the nickname "forever chemicals." PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX) are the five with enforceable US limits.
- PFOA / PFOS
- Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid — the two most widely studied PFAS compounds. PFOA was used in Teflon and non-stick cookware manufacturing; PFOS in Scotchgard fabric protector and military firefighting foam. Both are now restricted globally and carry an EPA MCL of 4 ppt.
- UCMR 5 — Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (5th cycle)
- The EPA testing program (2023–2025) that required roughly 10,000 public water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds. Results were published in January 2026 and form the entire data set behind CheckPFAS. "Unregulated" refers to the compounds being monitored before limits were set — most of the 29 now have or are expected to receive MCLs.
- PWS / PWSID — Public Water System / ID
- A PWS is any entity that provides drinking water to at least 25 people or 15 connections year-round. Each system is assigned a unique PWSID (Public Water System Identifier) by the EPA — a state-prefixed alphanumeric code used to track testing results across datasets.
- NSF — NSF International
- An independent organization that tests and certifies water treatment products. Relevant certifications: NSF/ANSI 58 and NSF P473 verify PFAS reduction in reverse osmosis and pitcher/point-of-use filters respectively. NSF/ANSI 53 covers general health effects (including some PFAS for long-chain compounds). NSF/ANSI 42 covers taste and odor only — not PFAS.
- RO — Reverse Osmosis
- A filtration process that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure, physically blocking PFAS molecules. The most effective consumer technology for PFAS removal: 90–99.9% reduction for all chain lengths. Available as under-sink systems ($150–$600) or countertop units.
- AFFF — Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
- A fire-suppression foam used extensively at military bases, airports, and industrial facilities. AFFF formulations contained high concentrations of PFOS and PFOA and are responsible for some of the worst PFAS groundwater contamination in the US. The DoD has identified over 700 impacted sites.
- GW / SW — Groundwater / Surface Water
- The two source water categories for public water systems. Groundwater comes from underground aquifers accessed via wells; surface water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Groundwater systems near industrial facilities, military bases, or agricultural land often show higher PFAS concentrations due to soil infiltration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. Boiling water does not remove PFAS — in fact, it can concentrate them by evaporating water while leaving PFAS behind. Only physical filtration (RO, activated carbon) or distillation is effective.
Is bottled water free of PFAS?
Not always. Some bottled water brands have tested positive for PFAS, and the FDA regulates bottled water less strictly than the EPA regulates tap water. Certified filtered tap water is often safer and more sustainable than bottled water.
Can I shower in PFAS-contaminated water?
The primary PFAS exposure risk is ingestion — drinking and cooking with contaminated water. Dermal absorption through bathing is generally considered low risk, though research is ongoing. If your water exceeds MCL limits, focus on filtering drinking and cooking water first.
Does the carbon filter in my refrigerator remove PFAS?
Standard refrigerator filters (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) are designed to improve taste and odor — they are not certified to remove PFAS. Look for a filter specifically certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF P473 for PFAS reduction.
What is the difference between a "detection" and "exceeding the MCL"?
A detection means any measurable level of PFAS was found. Exceeding the MCL means the level surpasses the EPA's legal limit (e.g., 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS), which requires water utilities to take action. Both are concerning, but exceeding MCL represents a higher immediate risk.
My water system says it's compliant — do I still need to worry?
Compliance means levels are below the federal MCL. However, the MCLs are set based on feasibility and economic factors, not purely on health — some scientists argue the safe level is effectively zero. If you have infants, are pregnant, or have a compromised immune system, additional filtration is prudent even at sub-MCL levels.