Clean water is essential for our holiday health and merriment. Yet, nearly half of America’s tap water contains harmful PFAS. Join us this festive season for 12 Days of PFAS, an educational series exploring what these so-called “forever chemicals” are, their sources and health risks, ways to limit your exposure, and much more.
Day 1: Unwrapping “Forever Chemicals”
On the first day of PFAS, one question came to be: What is PFAS, exactly? Short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS is a family of over 15,000 human-made chemicals used in products to repel stains, grease, water, and heat, and fight fuel fires. They are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because their ultra-strong carbon-fluorine bonds make them nearly indestructible. Due to this, they can remain and accumulate in people, animals, and the environment for a very long time.
Day 2: A Tale of Two PFAS Poster Children
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are the two most notorious members of the PFAS family. Chemical companies had begun using them in consumer products since the 1950s but concealed or downplayed their potential harms. Mysterious illnesses and deaths among plant workers, residents, and animals prompted investigations that later exposed the cover-up and the chemicals’ dark side. Despite being phased out of U.S. production, PFOA and PFOS remain in the environment, our blood, and some imported goods and older items.
Day 3: Three Ways PFAS Sleigh into Drinking Water
First, there’s runoff from AFFF firefighting foams, which are commonly used on military bases, airports, and industrial sites like oil refineries. When sprayed or spilled, their toxic chemical ingredients can leach into soil and eventually poison drinking water supplies. Similarly, landfill leachate can carry PFAS from discarded items into soil, and then into local waterways. Manufacturers’ deliberate dumping of chemicals into rivers is also a major entryway for “forever chemicals” into drinking water sources.
Day 4: Four Stockings Stuffed with PFAS-Containing Products
“Forever chemicals” have been used to manufacture a broad range of everyday consumer products, including nonstick cookware, fast food wrappers, waterproof gear, and carpets. Certain cosmetics, contact lenses, dental floss, upholstered furniture, cleaning products, and computer chips may also contain the compounds. Keywords like nonstick, waterproof, stain-resistant, or grease-resistant often indicate their presence. However, one study shows that they may even be found in goods labeled as “eco-friendly” or “green.”
Day 5: Five Common Pathways to PFAS Exposure
People are generally exposed to “forever chemicals” through five major avenues, including drinking contaminated water and consuming foods grown or produced near polluted areas. Ingesting seafood caught from contaminated waters, contact with various food packaging, and swallowing PFAS-tainted soil are also common pathways. The risk of exposure is usually higher for certain groups, such as pregnant individuals, babies and young children, and people living near contamination sites or working in PFAS-related industries.
Day 6: Six PFAS Drinking Water Limits on Thin Ice
For years, industry players opposed government efforts to restrict “forever chemicals” in drinking water. But in 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivered a long-awaited gift: its first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water rules for six common PFAS. The cheer would be short-lived, as just over a year later, the EPA announced plans to rescind or reconsider key protections for four already-regulated chemicals (GenX, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS). Separately, the agency says it will extend the compliance deadline for the other two (PFOA and PFOS) from 2029 to 2031.
Day 7: A Flurry of PFAS Health Risks
Nearly everyone in the U.S. has measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood, even newborn babies. This is troubling because even low exposure levels can cause a wide range of health problems, including various cancers, fertility issues, reduced immune response, elevated cholesterol, and kidney failure. They can also lead to higher incidences of liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and hormone disruption. Babies and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of these “forever chemicals.” In fact, a new landmark study found that mothers receiving water downstream from a PFAS source were 43% more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby, 20% more likely to give birth prematurely, and had a 191% higher chance of first-year infant mortality than mothers using upstream wells.
Day 8: Jingle All the Way to Less PFAS
Although it is difficult to avoid “forever chemicals” entirely, there are ways to avoid them as much as possible. For starters, have your water tested and consider installing a PFAS water filter in your home. Also, try to limit your bottled water consumption, as PFAS have been detected in many bottled water brands. On the food front, replace nonstick cookware with stainless steel, cast iron, enamel, or nontoxic alternatives, and opt for fast food served in PFAS-free packaging. For everyday items, you can look up consumer products likely containing “forever chemicals” on resource websites, such as the Clean Water Action Guide, and then swap them out for safer alternatives.
Day 9: Jolly Good Reasons to Filter Your Water
This Christmas, give your family the gift of fresh, filtered water. Stripped of harmful contaminants, it is better for health and hydration, and can enhance the quality of holiday dishes, baked goods, beverages, and ice. Pipes and appliances may last longer, fabrics stay softer, and skin and hair look and feel healthier. Filtered water also eliminates the need for buying single-use bottled water, saving you money and reducing plastic waste. Then, there’s peace of mind knowing your water is safe to consume amid the holiday feasting and festivities.
Day 10: Deck Your Home with a PFAS Treatment System
With only 8% of U.S. water systems equipped to remove “forever chemicals,” a certified PFAS treatment system is a crucial addition to your home. Case in point: SpringWell’s PFAS Removal System reduces long- and short-tail PFAS like PFOA, PFOS, and GenX to nondetect levels, producing some of the purest and safest water possible. Its ATOMUS PF8 media has a 25 times larger absorption capacity than typical carbon or ion-exchange filters and doesn’t require frequent backwashing or maintenance. Each cartridge treats up to 350,000 gallons before needing replacement and is certified to NSF/ANSI 53, 61, and 372 for proven contaminant reduction and material safety.
Day 11: Advocate for Stronger PFAS Protections
Your actions matter even more with critical PFAS protections in jeopardy. Contact your elected officials and voice your concerns, sign active petitions calling for stronger PFAS regulation and increased cleanup funding, and support advocacy groups like Food & Water Watch and Earthjustice. Also, consider getting involved locally by attending city council meetings or connecting with community groups organizing around water quality issues. Every action is a step closer to policies that could help reduce PFAS contamination and ensure adequate cleanup and justice for affected communities.
Day 12: A Toast to a Happier, Healthier Holiday and Beyond!
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On the twelfth and final day, let’s raise a toast to a healthier future. Although the nation’s PFAS pollution problem won’t be resolved overnight, growing awareness of the issue, our collective advocacy, and smaller-scale solutions like the SpringWell PFAS Water Filtration System to help turn the tide. Thank you for joining us on this incredible learning journey.
If you have questions or concerns, please call us at 800-589-5592 or schedule a free water consultation. From all of us at SpringWell, we wish you happy holidays and a healthy new year!
