You have surely heard of PFAS, or perhaps their more famous cousin, PFOS. They are chemical substances that have been in our lives for decades without almost anyone noticing, and today we are going to tell you what they are, why they are so concerning, and what you can do about it at home.
What are PFAS and PFOS?
PFAS stands for "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances," a family of more than 10,000 synthetic chemical compounds. They began to be manufactured in the 1940s because they are extraordinarily resistant to water, grease, and heat, which made them perfect for non-stick pans, waterproof textiles, firefighting foams, fast food packaging, or even some cosmetics.
PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) is one of the most studied PFAS and one of the first to raise alarms, along with PFOA. Although its production has been restricted in many countries for years, it continues to appear in water, soil, and living organisms because it is extremely persistent.
Why are they so dangerous?
PFAS are called "forever chemicals" for a very specific reason: their carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, which means they do not degrade naturally. Once released into the environment, they remain in water and soil for decades, and even centuries.
In addition to being persistent, they are bioaccumulative: they accumulate in the body over time. Various health organizations and environmental agencies (such as the European Environment Agency and the US EPA) have linked prolonged exposure to certain PFAS, including PFOS, to potential effects on the immune system, hormonal imbalances, cholesterol problems, and in the case of some compounds, certain types of cancer. That is why the European Union has been tightening the maximum permitted limits for PFAS in drinking water in recent years.
Granular activated carbon: an effective ally
The good news is that there are technologies capable of retaining a large part of these compounds in household water. Granular activated carbon (GAC), such as that incorporated into our filters, is one of the most recognized and studied solutions for the reduction of PFAS/PFOS in drinking water.
Its porous structure offers an enormous contact surface where PFAS molecules are trapped by adsorption, especially long chains like PFOS and PFOA, which adhere most to carbon. Organizations such as the US EPA and numerous independent scientific studies support the use of granular activated carbon as one of the most effective and accessible technologies for this purpose, along with others such as ion exchange or reverse osmosis.
We want to be completely transparent: as of today, our filters do not yet have a specific certification for the reduction of PFAS/PFOS, but we are actively in the process of obtaining it. As soon as we have the results of the tests and the corresponding certification, we will share it right here on the blog, in full detail.
Retaining is not eliminating: the importance of changing the filter on time
There is a very important nuance that we do not want you to miss: activated carbon retains PFAS, it does not destroy or chemically eliminate them. This means that as the filter retains more substances, its pores become saturated. A saturated filter loses its retention capacity and, in the worst case, may end up releasing part of what it had captured.
That is why we insist so much on respecting the recommended service life of your filter and replacing it regularly. It is not just a question of maintaining the good taste of the water: it is the guarantee that the activated carbon continues to do its job effectively against PFAS and other contaminants.
This content is for informational purposes and is based on currently available scientific and regulatory evidence. We will update this article as we advance in the certification process.