PFAS & PFOA: Forever Chemicals in Water

• WATER QUALITY GUIDE

Why PFAS Are So Persistent

PFAS are man-made chemicals designed to resist heat, water, and grease. That durability is also what makes them difficult to break down naturally, allowing them to persist in water and the environment.

DELOACH INDUSTRIES CARBON-FLUORINE CHAIN

PFAS are built to last. Their resistance to breaking down is useful in products, but it also means they can remain in the environment and water sources for long periods.

• THE BASICS

One Chemical Family, Two Terms

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of man-made chemicals made from carbon, fluorine, and other elements.

PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is one specific type of PFAS that has been widely used in industrial processes.

 

DELOACH INDUSTRIES PFAS & PFOAS

The same properties that make PFAS useful also make them persistent. Allowing them to remain in the environment and accumulate in living organisms.

 

• EVERYDAY EXPOSURE

Where PFAS Show Up

 
Non-stick cookware
 
Water-resistant fabrics
 
Food packaging
 
Firefighting foams
 
Lakes & rivers
PFAS have been used across manufacturing, firefighting, food packaging, and consumer products. They can also be found in water sources such as lakes and rivers.
• WHY IT MATTERS

What Research Has Linked to PFAS Exposure 

Toxicity studies have linked PFAS exposure to several health concerns. Research continues, but these findings have increased attention on how PFAS persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms.
 
Their persistence and ability to accumulate over time are key reasons PFAS continue to be studied and regulated.
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Liver damage
•
Developmental problems
•
Immune system disorders
•
Certain cancers
• REGULATORY OVERVIEW

How PFAS Are Regulated

United States

 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA monitors PFAS in drinking water and has taken steps to establish health guidance and regulatory limits.
Safe Drinking Water Act
Provides the federal framework for setting contaminant limits in public drinking water systems.

International

 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
Certain PFAS are restricted under the European Union’s REACH framework.
Stockholm Convention
PFOA has been listed as a Persistent Organic Pollutant, supporting international efforts to restrict its production and use.
• KNOW YOUR WATER

Testing for PFAS & PFOA

 

Home test kits

Commercially available kits may help identify the presence of PFAS in drinking water.
 

Certified laboratories

Professional laboratories provide more comprehensive analysis of water samples for PFAS and PFOA.
• THE SOLUTION

How PFAS Can Be Removed from Water

Two treatment approaches highlighted for PFAS removal are granulated activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis.

DeLoach PFA Solution
GAC

Granulated Activated Carbon Filters

GAC filtration can remove PFAS from water when the media and system are properly selected for the application.
RO

Reverse Osmosis
Systems

Reverse osmosis can remove a broad range of contaminants, including PFAS and PFOA.

DeLoach designs filtration and reverse osmosis systems for demanding water-treatment applications.

• DAY TO DAY

Reducing PFAS Exposure

✓
Limit products containing PFAS, including certain non-stick cookware and stain-resistant materials
✓
Look for products labeled PFAS-free or PFOA-free
✓
Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers
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Stay informed about product labels and emerging research
✓
Follow local disposal guidance for products containing PFAS
✓
Support safer alternatives and efforts to reduce PFAS use

Need Help Addressing PFAS in Your Water?

Talk with DeLoach about your water-quality requirements and the filtration or reverse osmosis approach best suited to your application.