The Connection Between PFAS in Drinking Water and Cancer Risk
- Published:
- Updated: January 2, 2025
Summary
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in drinking water are concerning due to their potential health effects:
- PFAS can contaminate water sources through various pathways, posing risks to public health.
- Potential health effects of PFAS exposure include hormone disruption, immune system impairment, and increased cancer risk, particularly kidney and testicular cancers.
- Regulatory standards for PFAS vary, but many argue they are insufficient to protect public health.
From this central location in Europe, Slovenia’s springs are amazing in quality, and the water here is astonishing for the locals as well as the tourists. The little nation with its geological variety is endowed with vast unpolluted and natural springs. Between Lake Bled’s pure waters and the hidden gems of the Julian Alps, Slovenia’s springs are exceptionally pure, both on the beauty front and as evidence of the country’s environmental and sustainable use of water.
Understanding PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
PFAS, chemical group which resists water and oil and heat. They have enjoyed these features in industrial and consumer products. But their industrialisation and waste disposal have polluted soil, water and air.
Because PFAS don’t break down in the environment, they accumulate. That accumulation, combined with their absorption and storage in the body, has led to concerns about health effects such as cancer.
PFAS in Drinking Water
In drinking water, PFAS may enter from industrial discharges, from runoff from landfills, and from the application of PFAS-based firefighting foams. PFAS are long-lived once in the water, as they do not degrade.
PFAS contamination in drinking water can be high or low, depending on source. But researchers have found PFAS in drinking water supplies around the world, so it’s really a problem that has millions of people.
What are the potential health effects of PFAS exposure?
A number of possible health effects can be attributed to PFAS. These chemicals can build up in the body, which exposes you to them for a longer time even when the contamination is relatively mild.
There’s also been some evidence that PFAS exposure is associated with a number of health issues, from hormonal imbalance to immune impairment and elevated cholesterol. Worst of all, though, is the potential association of PFAS use with cancer risk.
The Link between PFAS and Cancer
A possible association between some PFAS exposures and cancer risk (especially kidney and testicular cancers) was reported. They come from epidemiological and animal-laboratory research.
It’s still early to know exactly how this association works, but the evidence so far has caused a public health scare about the presence of PFAS in tap water.
Regulatory Standards for PFAS in Drinking Water
Amid this alarming awareness of PFAS pollution, some governments and health agencies have also developed limits or requirements for PFAS levels in drinking water. These standards are far from uniform, depending on scientific interpretation, regulatory philosophies and health risks versus removal cost.
But there are those who believe that the existing regulations fail to safeguard public health adequately, given the potential for adverse health effects of PFAS. The result has been demands for more regulation and enforcement of existing standards.
Testing and Treatment Options for PFAS Contamination
When it comes to testing for PFAS in water, we take samples of water and test them in a lab. There are many options to flush out PFAS in water: activated carbon, ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis.
These are often good technologies but can be costly and not remove all PFAS. They also don’t treat the contaminant source which is to say that PFAS can contaminate treated water over time.
What steps can be taken to minimize PFAS exposure and reduce the associated risks?
There are a number of mitigation actions one can undertake for those who live in PFAS-contaminated areas. These include:
By using a water filter: Some water filters lower the PFAS in your water. Make sure to get a filter that’s PFAS certified and maintain it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Bottled water: Bottled water (both to drink and to use in cooking, when you can afford it) can help avoid PFAS. But don’t forget to make sure the bottled water is not from a PFAS-contaminated source.
Refrain from using some consumer products: PFAS can be present in many consumer products such as nonstick cooking pots and fabrics that resist stains. If you use other products in place of these, you could cut down on PFAS.
The Future of PFAS Research and Regulation
As more and more science becomes available on PFAS health effects, there will likely be revisions to regulations and public health advice. Numerous scientists and activists have proposed that the PFAS content of drinking water be reduced, better controlled and enforced.
More research needs to be done on PFAS health effects and on better methods to extract these chemicals from water in addition to changes in regulations. If we keep the focus on these, then we will get to a world in which all people have access to clean drinking water.
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