Water filters designed to remove PFAS, the toxic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, hormone disruption and immune problems, may do more than just tackle one threat.
A new study published in ACS ES&T Water finds that advanced PFAS treatments also cut levels of other harmful contaminants in drinking water, including cancer-causing disinfection byproducts, nitrates from agriculture and heavy metals such as arsenic and uranium.
Researchers from the Environmental Working Group analyzed data from 19 U.S. utilities and found that systems with PFAS treatment technology saw big co-benefits. On average, one group of disinfection byproducts dropped 42% and another dropped 50% after filtration. Both are common chemicals linked to cancer risk.
“PFAS treatment isn’t just about ‘forever chemicals,’” said Sydney Evans, EWG senior science analyst and lead author. “It is also opening the door to improving water treatment across the board.”
The study also highlighted inequities. Only 7% of very small water systems, serving fewer than 500 people, use advanced filtration, compared with 28% of the largest utilities. That leaves many rural and under-resourced communities more exposed.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are toxic at extremely low levels and can build up in the body. The CDC has detected PFAS in the blood of 99% of Americans, including newborns. Exposure has been linked to cancer, suppressed immunity and reduced vaccine effectiveness.
While installing advanced filtration systems can be costly, the research suggests the payoff is significant: tackling multiple threats to drinking water safety at once.
The study was led by scientists at the Environmental Working Group, with support from the Park Foundation and the Skyline Foundation.