Is your tap water safe?
Concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”, are on the rise, and understandably so. These synthetic chemicals are incredibly persistent in the environment and can accumulate in our bodies over time. While PFAS are used in various industrial processes and common products, finding them in drinking water is a cause for alarm.
Testing your water
Curious if your tap water is contaminated with PFAS? Well, here’s some good news: you can take steps to find out! Many reputable laboratories like EUROFINS, WESSLING, or PHYTOCONTROL offer comprehensive water analysis services, measuring PFAS concentrations among other factors.
While laboratory services provide valuable insights into PFAS levels in your drinking water, they do come with two major constraints:
- Often prohibitive costs: Prices range from 100 to 500 euros depending on the extent of tests conducted and the number of PFAS types detected. The more detailed the test you want, the higher the cost.
- Time-consuming results: Laboratories will typically send you a test kit containing one or more empty vials that you’ll need to fill with your tap water. You then have to send these filled vials back to the lab for analysis. Despite well-designed kits and a relatively simple process, it can still be a lengthy or tedious affair, especially for the less enthusiastic among us.
The Revolution Is Underway!
However, there’s hope! Researchers from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or the University of Mons in Belgium are actively developing affordable and user-friendly at-home test solutions for PFAS detection. These ongoing research efforts promise to make PFAS testing more accessible in the future.
Take action now!
Regardless, for now, the only available tests are those offered by laboratories. So, if you’re concerned about PFAS presence in your water, you have two options:
- Treat it by default and minimize any pollution risk. Check out our “Solutions Exist!” section for a non-exhaustive list of filters that reduce PFAS concentration in your water by over 95%. It’s a simple and effective way to tackle the issue at its source (pun intended), considering that most PFAS contamination occurs through the water we drink daily.
- Turn to laboratories to have your water tested and put your mind at ease. Or not. If you do, prefer laboratories whose testing method is COFRAC-certified (French Committee for Accreditation). Below are links to laboratory websites offering PFAS pollution analysis services for your tap water:
| WESSLING | Visit the website |
| LABOCEA | Visit the website |
| WATERS | Visit the website |
| EUROFINS | Visit the website |
| PHYTOCONTROL | Visit the website |
Stay Informed!
Keep in mind that this is a rapidly evolving field. New research and advancements in testing methods are constantly emerging. Stay updated by regularly checking our blog or visiting reputable organization websites such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States or the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES).
Together, we can raise awareness about PFAS contamination and work towards a future with cleaner water for all.
Want to take your evaluation of PFAS exposure further? Here are three ways to dig deeper, from the simplest to the most demanding:
