PFAS in our drinking water

Table of content

PFAS in our drinking water

Relation of chemicals to infertility

PFAs (forever chemicals): what are they?

How does PFAS affect reproductive hormones?

How are we exposed to PFAs?

PFAs: what we should avoid:

What are the best filters for removing PFAs?

How is the reverse osmosis filter effective for removing PFAs?

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Toxic chemicals and infertility

Fertility issues can be caused by a number of things, but water is also a contributing factor. Water contaminated with toxic chemicals, such as forever chemicals, may cause fertility issues.

Millions of couples struggle with fertility issues every year. Out of 100 couples in the US, 12 to 13 have difficulty conceiving.

Fertility is declining worldwide, not just in the United States.
Despite the fact that infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, some studies suggest water chemicals may have a significant contribution.

ahead is What you need to know and the steps you need to take. This is to ensure that the water you drink is free from some particularly concerning chemicals.

PFAs (forever chemicals): what are they?

PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a class of 42,000 “forever chemicals” constituting a global threat to public and environmental health

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals linked to infertility. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS increases the risk of infertility, as well as other reproductive and developmental health issues. Additionally, PFAS has been found to decrease sperm count, reduce sperm motility, and decrease testicular size, all of which can lead to infertility. 97% of Americans have been found to have PFAS in their blood, according to the CDC.

PFAS is like a silent killer, slowly building up in our systems until the damage it causes to our reproductive health can no longer be ignored.

In a study of would-be mothers, high levels of perfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – were associated with a 40 percent decrease in the chance of having a successful pregnancy.

What PFAS do to reproductive hormones:

PFAS have been identified as “endocrine disruptors” (EDCs), meaning they may interfere with normal human hormone functions and signaling.

Specifically, PFAS can interfere with the production, transport, and metabolism of hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones.
Women exposed to PFAS have irregular periods, early menopause, and decreased fertility.
Men exposed to PFAS have lower testosterone levels, lower sperm counts, and lower sperm quality.

PFAS can disrupt reproductive hormone regulation. Additionally, some PFAS bind to hormone receptors and interfere with their normal functioning. It is clear that these chemicals can have significant impacts on reproductive health and fertility. Therefore, it is imperative to minimize exposure to PFAS by avoiding products that contain these chemicals. In addition, it is important to drink water tested and treated for PFAS contamination.

How are we exposed to PFAs?

Firefighting foams, non-stick coatings, water-resistant fabrics, and food packaging use this chemical. PFAS exposure can therefore occur in a variety of ways, including

Drinking water: PFAS can contaminate drinking water sources, such as groundwater and surface water, through industrial discharges, landfill leachate, and firefighting foam runoff.
Food: They accumulate in the food chain through contaminated soil, water, and air. Certain types of fish and shellfish may contain high levels of PFAS, as well as some meat, dairy, and vegetable products.
Consumer products: Some consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and stain-resistant carpets, may contain PFAS.
Occupational exposure: Workers in industries that produce or use PFAS may be exposed to these chemicals through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact.

PFAs: what we should avoid:

Researchers say women trying to conceive should avoid products known to contain PFAS. These products include

Non-stick cookware,
Microwaveable popcorn
Anti-stain fabrics.
Fish should be chosen carefully
Make sure your hands are clean before eating
Food packaging containing PFAS should be avoided

You should have your drinking water tested for PFAS by a certified laboratory. You can also put in your zip code at www.LifeWaterReport.com and the report will show if there are PFASs in your City’s water. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration can be used to remove PFAS from water if detected.
It is critical to minimize exposure to PFAS by avoiding products that contain these chemicals. In addition, drinking water is tested and treated for PFAS contamination. If you are experiencing reproductive health issues or concerns, speak with your healthcare provider to determine if PFAS exposure may be a contributing factor.

What are the best filters for removing PFAs?

You should select a filter, or filter system, that has been specifically tested and used for PFAS removal when removing PFAS from water

In order to remove PFAs from water, the following filters are used:

Activated Carbon filters
Reverse Osmosis Filter Systems
Ion Exchange Filters
Ultrafiltration filters

‌How the reverse osmosis filter is effective at removing PFAs?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is considered one of the most effective water filtration methods for removing PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) from drinking water because of:

High removal efficiency: Reverse osmosis removes up to 98% of PFAS from water. Even the tiniest PFAS molecules can be trapped by RO membranes because of the very small membrane pores.
Chemical-free: Unlike some other water filtration methods RO is chemical-free. This means that there is no risk of introducing additional chemicals into the water.
Versatile: Reverse osmosis can remove a wide range of contaminants including PFAS, such as lead, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals.
Easy to maintain: Reverse osmosis systems are relatively easy to maintain and require only periodic filter replacements.
Safe and reliable: Reverse osmosis is a safe and reliable water treatment method used for decades in both residential and industrial settings.
Look for the new “tankless’ units that produce more drinking water and
are more space efficient.

Summary:

Toxic chemicals are the main cause of many health-related water problems, so we should avoid them and drink safe water. It is imperative to note that the most effective way to ensure safe drinking water is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. This is to determine if it contains PFAS or any other contaminants. You can also visit www.LifeWaterReport.com and enter your zip code, and you will find out if you have PFAS or any other contaminants. If PFAS contamination is found, you can treat your water, such as by installing reverse osmosis or an activated carbon multi-filter purification system, to remove these harmful chemicals, and many more.

We proactive and review your City’s water test results now, and learn how
to create healthy, safe Family drinking water!

References:

Chandra, A., Copen, C.E., & Stephen, E.H. (2013). Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: Data From the National Survey of Family Growth. National Health Statistics Reports, 67, 1-19. Retrieved February 7, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr067.pdf (PDF 328 KB)
American Urological Association Male Infertility Best Practice Policy Panel. (2010). The optimal evaluation of the infertile male: AUA best practice statement. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from https://www.auanet.org/documents/education/clinical-guidance/Male-Infertility-d.pdf (PDF 188 KB)
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2012). Optimizing natural fertility. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/optimizing-natural-fertility/
Gnoth, G., Godehardt, D., Godehardt, E., Frank-Herrmann, P., & Freundl, G. (2003). Time to pregnancy: Results of the German prospective study and impact on the management of infertility. Human Reproduction, 18(9), 1959–1966.
Dunson, D. B., Baird, D. D., & Colombo, B. (2004). Increased infertility with age in men and women. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103(1), 51–56.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. (2013). Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 100(3), 631–637.