While England’s mains tap water is rigorously tested and classed as safe to drink, studies are showing that levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in drinking water are way too high. So what are ‘forever chemicals’, why are they in our drinking water, and what can you do to reduce them and protect yourself?

What are ‘forever chemicals’?

‘Forever chemicals’ are so named because they contain toxins and microplastics that don’t break down, dilute, or disappear. Their scientific name is Poly (or Per) Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) and they come from all types of production and manufacturing processes and in a range of everyday items including clothing, take-away containers, plastics, cookware, and even dental floss.

As a result, PFASs find their way into the environment, contaminating our soil, water, food, and even air as we repeatedly wash things or they're sent to landfill or incinerated. But in this endless cycle, the key is water and once PFASs permeate our groundwater and surface water, they never come out. As such, they can end up in our mains drinking water.

Are ‘forever chemicals’ dangerous?

In a word, yes. As PFASs are in our food and water chain, we’re exposed to them daily and they can cause serious health issues. Currently, certain PFASs are found to be linked to conditions including high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, and kidney cancer.

An online article states that, working with two major Universitie, the BBC carried out tests on 45 water samples from different areas in England. Out of the 45, 25 samples were found to contain PFASs but were under the permitted levels of 100 nanograms per litre (ng/l).

But four of the samples contained PFAS levels higher than 10ng/l, which is above the limit of 2.2ng/l as set by the European Food Standards Agency. This shows that collectively, many untested and/or unregulated PFASs are already deep in our mains water systems and we’re all consuming them daily.

How to reduce your intake of PFAS chemicals

Given they’re so widespread, especially in our drinking water, there may not be a way to completely eliminate the intake of many PFAS chemicals, but it can be reduced. All microplastics and PFASs in water will vary in size – anywhere from 5mm to 1 nanometre (there’s 1,000,000nm in 1mm!). So while a standard carbon water filter unit at home will help, it may not filter as much as you’d like.

But an advanced filtration system inside a mains fed water cooler can make a real difference. Capable of capturing microplastics and water-based nasties up to a size of 0.0009mm, the Pura filters can give you an increased level of filtration that normal mains water simply can’t.

Reduce the PFAS threat with Thirsty Work

Having the cleanest, purest water you can get can lessen the risks associated with PFASs while delivering a fully-filtered and better tasting glass of water. And by installing a cost-effective Thirsty Work mains fed water cooler at home or in the office, you can make sure you’re drinking some of the purest.

For more information about our filtration systems, call our customer service team on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today. We can answer your questions, provide you with your free quote, or start your free, no-obligation 10-day trial.