If you live in Michigan or another state that has documented PFAS contamination, it’s a good idea to test your home’s tap water to make sure you and your family aren’t impacted by the negative health consequences of consuming PFAS. While guidance for consumers has been historically murky, recent lawsuits, as well as state and federal governmental actions, have created clearer protocols for the best way to identify and mitigate PFAS contamination in your home.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals known as “forever chemicals” or “zombie chemicals.” Found in the production of fire-fighting foam as well as stain-, grease-, and water-repellent items, their unique chemical makeup prevents them from breaking down under typical conditions. They have been identified as a major drinking water contaminant and public health threat in many areas of the United States. Consuming PFAS-contaminated products has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, decreased immune response, fertility challenges for women, and increased risks of certain cancers.
How Can I Test My Water for PFAS?
It’s important to know that most commercial or consumer water tests cannot detect PFAS. Instead, Michigan residents can send samples of their home’s water to one of these private labs, certified by the State of Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) to perform PFAS testing. Please visit their website for more information on PFAS, to see an interactive map listing where PFAS testing has been conducted in the state, and to watch videos to help guide you through collecting a sample of your home’s water.
How Can I Get Rid of PFAS?
If your home’s water has detectable levels of PFAS, it’s important to treat the water immediately. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, effective water treatment technologies “include activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membranes.” Whole-home water filtrations systems, such as a Wolverine Water PFAS Filtration System with Whole House Filters to filter and contain PFAS, along with a Wolverine Water Reverse Osmosis System with Alkaline filtration, would treat your water to an undetectable quantity of PFAS contamination.
Unfortunately, common water filter pitchers cannot remove PFAS from your home’s drinking water, and if you have municipal water, it’s up to individual municipalities to invest in costly, high-maintenance filters that can serve entire drinking water supplies. This process can be long, expensive, and arduous.
At Wolverine Water, the health and safety of the communities we serve is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns about PFAS in your drinking water, call our office today at (517) 339-0722. We will do our best to answer your questions and discuss whole-home water filtration options that may work for you.
