Woman pours water into a glass from a water filter.

How To Avoid PFAS: 3 Ways To Reduce Your Exposure

Since the 1940s, manufacturers have used synthetic chemicals called PFAS to make hundreds, if not thousands of industrial goods and consumer products. Because PFAS can slowly break down over several years in the human body and hundreds of years in the environment, researchers have aptly called them “forever chemicals.”

PFAS have been identified in a wide number of products found in American homes, including:

  • Tap water (in some parts of the U.S.)
  • Many cleaning products
  • Nonstick cookware (Teflon)
  • Some brands of toilet paper
  • Some shampoos
  • Some dental floss products
  • Some contraceptive products, like condoms
  • Some menstrual pads, tampons, and reusable period underwear
  • Some soft contact lenses
  • Waterproof makeup
  • Some nail polishes
  • Stain-resistant carpets and upholstery
  • Some paints, sealants, and varnishes
  • Herbicides and pesticides
  • Some types of firefighting foam
  • Water-resistant fabrics (rain jackets, umbrellas, tents, etc.)

Long-term exposure to PFAS could potentially cause a handful of health complications and illnesses. These complications can range from minor conditions, such as a slight hormonal imbalance, to life-threatening diseases like kidney or testicular cancer. 

Since PFAS forever chemicals are so pervasive in the products we use, they can seem nearly impossible to avoid. But, as awareness spreads about PFAS’ harmful effects on our bodies and the environment, researchers and health officials are gaining more and more knowledge of how we can fight back against these toxic chemicals.

1. Test your tap water, or purchase a PFAS filter

If you’re an American, there’s a good chance that your area could have PFAS in the water supply. Unfortunately, this is especially true if you live in one of the east coast or rust belt states, such as Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Alabama, and Wisconsin. If you live on or near a military base, an airport, or an industrial plant, then your area is even more likely to be affected.

If you think your area has contaminated tap water, you can reach out to your local water utility and ask if they have tested their water for PFAS. You can also purchase your own PFAS water testing kit and send a sample to a certified laboratory. In the case that your area does have some level of PFAS contamination, there are a few options you can take to reduce your exposure.

The simplest way to avoid PFAS exposure through your water is to avoid drinking or cooking with tap water altogether. This method can be extreme for some households without other access to drinking water, though, so many prefer a more convenient method, like buying a PFAS water filter. But before you purchase one, you’ll want to make sure that whichever filter you choose has been thoroughly tested and certified to remove 100% of PFAS chemicals.

You can also stick to bottled water as another way to avoid drinking contaminated tap water. However, some bottled waters (including sparkling water) can also contain PFAS. Interestingly, sparkling water may be at an even higher risk of PFAS contamination than non-carbonated bottled water. Some of the brands found to contain the highest levels of PFAS are: 

  • Topo Chico mineral water
  • Bubly sparkling water
  • Polar sparking water
  • La Croix sparkling water
  • Perrier sparkling water
  • Tourmaline Spring spring water

2. Find PFAS-free alternatives for personal products and fabrics

As shown in the list above, PFAS can be found all over your bathroom, from shampoo and toilet paper to makeup and dental floss. Thankfully, there are plenty of reputable companies that sell PFAS-free versions of many personal care products, though they tend to be a little more expensive than their counterparts. But, if you don’t have the budget to spend more on one-time use products, here are some longer-lasting solutions you could try.

Say goodbye to toilet paper.

Instead of having to buy toilet paper in bulk, why not switch to a bidet? Getting clean with a bidet is much easier than with toilet paper, all without exposing yourself to PFAS several times a day. Not only is using a bidet better for the environment, but it’s also better for your wallet in the long-run.

Give menstrual cups a try.

For people with periods, consider switching to PFAS-free menstrual cups or discs. Many brands of disposable menstrual pads and tampons, along with some reusable period underwear products, have been reported to contain notable levels of PFAS. Generally, menstrual cups and menstrual discs are not at risk of containing forever chemicals.

3. Cook smarter and avoid locally caught seafood

PFAS was a much bigger concern for food contamination 10-20 years ago than it is today. In the past, many fast food wrappers, pizza boxes, takeout containers, and microwaveable popcorn bags were made with PFAS. But, in February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that grease-proof food packaging made with PFAS would no longer be sold anywhere in the United States. These food packaging products should now be safe to use once again.

However, that doesn’t mean that you’re no longer at-risk of PFAS food contamination. Some non-stick cookware like Teflon-coated pans still contain PFAS, though the risk is smaller with modern kitchen equipment compared to older cookware. Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises that eating fish locally caught in an area with contaminated water can also put you at-risk of PFAS exposure.

File a PFAS lawsuit

If you or a close family member were diagnosed with kidney or testicular cancer after being exposed to PFAS “forever chemicals,” we can help you sue for a settlement. Get a free case review and see if you qualify to join the lawsuit.