In 2019, Governor DeWine called state officials to assess the threats to drinking water across the state of Ohio. Once announced, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency made a plan to test the water of 1,500 public water systems. They tested communities, schools, daycares, and mobile home parks, which account for 90 percent of Ohio’s population. Following the test of 1,500 water systems, 6 percent of the locations tested showed some level of chemicals were in the water.
What are Polyfluoroalkyl Substances?
Polyfluoroalkyl substances are used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Since the 1940s, these substances have been manufactured and used in various industries around the globe. Polyfluoroalkyl substances are made of man-made chemicals that are very persistent in the environment and the human body – meaning they accumulate over time, are not easily broken down in the body and can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. These chemicals are often found in food, commercial household products, production facilities, drinking water, and several other places.
How do Polyfluoroalkyl Substances impact the human body?
Polyfluoroalkyl substances are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” They are a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are persistent in the environment and our bodies. A growing amount of research has been done that shows there are several potential health impacts associated with these substances. These health impacts include liver damage, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, hormone suppression, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and decreased antibody response to vaccines.
How do I remove Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from my water?
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends either an activated charcoal filtration system or a high-pressure membrane system (Reverse Osmosis) to remove these substances from drinking water. Our Kinetico K5 Reverse Osmosis water treatment system has both offering the ability to remove these polyfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water in your home or business. With these chemicals being used in the manufacturing industry for years and not easily biodegrading, they will continue finding their way into your drinking water. To gain an understanding of your home’s water supply, we provide a no-cost water test that will help to isolate which chemicals are in your water. Contact us today for all of your water filtration needs!
