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As senior health editor Beth Skwarecki has pointed out, it’s impossible to fully avoid 'forever chemicals' in our lives (they contaminate 45% of our water supplies). However, you can reduce exposure by following Beth's recommendations, such as filtering your air, checking labels, avoiding certain foods, and, most importantly, filtering your water.
Not all water filters are the same. While many water filters claim to 'remove PFAS' on their labels, that doesn't guarantee they effectively filter out forever chemicals. There are stringent criteria that must be met for a product to be certified as a PFAS filter.
What is the extent of the PFAS problem in our water?
Let’s begin by reviewing what 'forever chemicals' actually are. As Beth Skwarecki wrote:
'Forever chemicals' refers to a group of chemicals that include fluorine and carbon. (“FC,” get it?) This name fits perfectly, since the bond between fluorine and carbon is so robust that it cannot be broken down by nature. While worms and germs may decompose your body after death, they are unable to break down substances like PFOA, PFOS, or any chemicals in this family.
The more technical term for this chemical group is PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It’s a vast family containing thousands of individual chemicals. These chemicals are wonders of modern technology, except for the troubling fact that they never fully degrade. They are used in breathable waterproof coatings for camping gear, nonstick coatings for cookware (Teflon is a prime example of PFAS), and contribute to the 'waterproof' feature in mascara. Many fast food wrappers and food packaging also owe their greaseproof nature to PFAS.
A recent study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that at least 45% of our tap water contains one or more types of PFAS (only 32 of the over 12,000 types were tested). This issue is particularly severe in cities, where it’s estimated that 75% of urban water sources are contaminated with forever chemicals. This suggests that many of us could be consuming PFAS-laced water daily. Fortunately, the EPA states that we can reduce our exposure to these chemicals with the right water filters.
What should you consider when choosing a water filter that removes PFAS?
When choosing filters that claim to eliminate PFAS from your water, ensure they are certified by reliable third-party testing organizations (not just the filter company itself) and feature their official seal. Without this certification, the product isn’t truly verified to filter PFAS.
Certified products undergo continuous testing and monitoring by trusted certifying bodies to ensure they perform as promised. The following organizations are well-regarded and should be the ones certifying your water filter:
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
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Water Quality Association (WQA)
UL Solutions
CSA Group
Intertek (ETL)
The water filtration industry uses the code NSF/ANSI 53 to signify that a product effectively removes PFAS. Be on the lookout for this code in product descriptions. If considering a reverse osmosis filter, check for NSF/ANSI 58 certification.
Top Water Filters for PFAS Removal
For the highest quality, a reverse osmosis filter is your best choice. However, these can be expensive (over $250, not including installation). You’re paying for quality—the EPA confirms that these filters remove over 90% of PFAS. Fortunately, there are also more affordable alternatives that are certified by the same trusted agencies:
Starting at $43 (price may vary) ZeroWater ZD-010rp Water Filter Pitcher: A budget-friendly option that handles essential chemical removal. Check 'see all buying options' to find it. Replacement filters are available here.
$90 (currently out of stock) Water Filter with Affinity Filtration Technology: This filter has a slower flow rate and may clog, but it’s effective at removing odors. Replacement filters are available here.
$149 Brondell H2O+ Coral UC300 Three-Stage Undercounter Water Filtration System: Requires installation under the sink, and it includes a faucet. It lasts about 12 months.
$125 Aquasana 2-Stage Under Sink Water Filter System: Also needs to be installed under the sink with a faucet. It lasts for around six months.
