You may have heard of PFAS in the news and wondered, what chemicals does this actually refer to. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s.
PFAS has properties that have been useful in a variety of commercial and industrial products. They are water-repellent as well as stain- and heat-resistant. They have been used in water repellant clothing, food packaging, and stick free cookware products as well as polishes, waxes, paints, and many cleaning products.
Although these chemicals have been helpful in the past, studies have now shown that PFOA and PFOS are linked to a number of health effects, including: liver damage; kidney damage; increased cholesterol levels; pregnancy-induced hypertension; certain types of cancer; increased risk of thyroid disease; increased risk of decreased fertility; increased risk of asthma diagnosis; decreased response to vaccines.
Should I be concerned about PFAS in my private well?
Many PFAS compounds dissolve easily in water but do not break down in the environment, and can travel miles to wells, wetlands, and streams.
If you have a private well testing for PFAS is one of many reasons to sample your water. It is a relatively simple process, but you must be sure to collect clean water samples. Let the tap run for about 10 minutes before you collect the water and always use laboratory-provided, PFAS-free containers. If you can, compare tap water with water sampled directly from your well borehole. The Marion County Public Health Department does not offer free well testing for PFAS, but you can contact a laboratory from this list provided by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
If you are concerned, the National Groundwater Association also recommends a whole-home filtration system approved to reduce PFAS in groundwater. To learn more about filters and PFAS, check out this PFAS Fact Sheet from IDEM.
