Do you rely on Brita filters to ensure your tap water is safe for drinking? You may want to think twice.
Recent testing data suggests that Brita filters may not be reliable for removing PFAS to safe drinking water standards. PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’have been linked to cancer and other diseases, and should not be present in drinking water.
While Brita filters are designed to remove chlorine, taste, lead, zinc, and other contaminants, their activated carbon only removes some PFAS inconsistently.
A recent Duke University study found that Brita filters reduce PFAS concentration in drinking water, but not consistently to safe levels. This means that pitcher filters like Brita should not be used to treat PFAS for drinking purposes.
If you are concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, it is important to explore other effective and safe treatment methods for PFAS removal.
Key Takeaways
– Brita filters are not designed to remove PFAS to safe levels and only remove some PFAS inconsistently.
– Duke University study found that Brita filters reduce PFAS concentration in drinking water but not consistently to safe levels.
– Pitcher filters like Brita should not be used to treat PFAS for drinking purposes.
– Other pitcher filters like Berkey and Aquasana have the best PFAS removal of all pitcher filters – 98.8% and 99%.
PFAS in Tap Water
You may be concerned about PFAS in your tap water, as it’s been linked to cancer and other diseases. These harmful chemicals can enter the environment through manufacturing plants, firefighting foam, and other sources.
PFAS can accumulate in water sources and pose health risks to those who drink it. While the EPA has established a health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS at 70 ppt, there are currently no national drinking water standards for PFAS.
Some states have set lower maximum contaminant levels to protect public safety. It’s important to be aware of the potential presence of PFAS in your tap water and consider using effective and reliable methods for removal. However, Brita filters are not reliable for removing PFAS to safe levels.
Limitations of Brita Filters
Using pitcher filters for treating drinking water may have limitations when it comes to effectively reducing certain contaminants, such as those found in PFAS. While Brita filters are designed to remove chlorine, lead, zinc, and other contaminants, they do not consistently remove PFAS to safe levels.
Brita filters may remove some PFAS, but the activated carbon technology used in the filters is not effective in removing all types of PFAS compounds. Real-world testing data has shown that Brita filters only remove some PFAS compounds, with removal performance varying significantly from 8.3% to 77.3%.
It is important to note that point of use filters like Brita do not provide a way to monitor performance and must be properly maintained. It is also crucial to understand that Brita’s website does not mention PFAS or any other fluorinated compounds as contaminants removed.
Health risks associated with PFAS in drinking water have been linked to cancer and other diseases. Therefore, it’s recommended to use other effective and safe treatment methods for PFAS removal. Berkey and Aquasana pitcher filters have been shown to have the best PFAS removal rates.
Effective PFAS Removal Methods
Consider using effective and safe treatment methods, such as Berkey and Aquasana pitcher filters, to ensure your drinking water is free from harmful PFAS compounds. While Brita filters may remove some PFAS, they’re not reliable in consistently removing these harmful compounds to safe levels.
As mentioned earlier, a Duke University study found that Brita filters reduce PFAS concentration in drinking water, but not consistently to safe levels. In fact, their PFAS removal performance varied significantly, ranging from 8.3% to 77.3%.
To ensure the safety of your drinking water, it’s important to consider alternative treatments for PFAS removal. Berkey and Aquasana pitcher filters had the best PFAS removal of all pitcher filters tested, with 98.8% and 99% removal rates, respectively.
Additionally, other effective and safe treatment methods for PFAS removal are available. It’s important to be aware of the health risks associated with PFAS and to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your family from exposure.
Conclusion
So, if you’re relying on Brita filters to protect yourself and your family from PFAS in drinking water, it’s time to reconsider. While these filters may reduce the concentration of PFAS in water, they can’t be relied upon to consistently remove it to safe levels.
Therefore, it’s important to look for other effective and safe treatment methods for PFAS removal. Fortunately, there are various methods available for PFAS removal, including reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, and ion exchange resins.
These methods have been shown to effectively remove PFAS to safe levels, ensuring that you can enjoy clean and safe drinking water. So, don’t take any chances with your health and switch to a reliable PFAS removal method today!
