Are you aware of the potential dangers lurking in your drinking water? Recent reports have revealed that Philadelphia’s drinking water contains high levels of PFAS, man-made chemicals that can be harmful to human health and persist in the environment.
PFAS can be found in various products, including nonstick cookware and firefighting foams, and can enter the environment from industrial sites, airports, landfills, sewage treatment plants, and household products.
While none of the PFAS compounds in Philadelphia’s drinking water exceed the EPA’s health advisory levels, it’s still important to take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Homeowners can safeguard their health by using a certified water filter or drinking bottled water. With growing concerns about the presence of PFAS in drinking water across the United States, it’s crucial to stay informed about the sources and health effects of these chemicals.
In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about PFAS in Philly’s drinking water.
Key Takeaways
– PFAS are man-made chemicals found in various products and can be harmful to human health.
– Philadelphia’s drinking water has PFAS compounds, but none exceed the EPA’s health advisory levels.
– There is a need for increased regulation and oversight of PFAS to protect public health and the environment.
– Homeowners in Philadelphia should stay informed about the risks and take steps to protect themselves, such as using a certified water filter or drinking bottled water.
PFAS Health Effects and Sources
You may experience health concerns like increased cholesterol levels and reduced vaccine response in children from exposure to PFAS, which can enter the environment from various sources and accumulate in the body over time.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that are used in different products, including nonstick cookware and firefighting foams. These chemicals are persistent in the environment, and they can move through soil and water, leading to PFAS exposure risks for humans.
There are still many unknowns when it comes to the human health effects of PFAS exposure, especially at low environmental levels. However, there is growing concern about the presence of PFAS in drinking water across the United States.
As a result, PFAS regulation updates have been made, and the EPA has developed a National PFAS Strategy and PFAS Action Plan to address PFAS contamination. It’s essential to stay informed about the risks of PFAS exposure and take steps to protect yourself and your family, such as using certified water filters and avoiding certain consumer products.
PFAS Levels in Philadelphia Water
Discover the concentrations of various compounds found in Philadelphia’s tap water from recent PFAS testing results. The Philadelphia Water Department began testing tap water for PFAS in 2019 and continues to monitor levels.
The most recent sampling program showed PFAS concentrations ranging from 6.3 to 36.9 ppt. While PFAS compounds are present in Philadelphia’s drinking water, none of the sample results were above the EPA’s health advisory levels or the State of Pennsylvania’s MCLs.
Philadelphia’s water comes from the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, and the water treatment process involves several steps to remove contaminants. However, PFAS contamination sources can enter the water supply through runoff and sewage treatment plant discharge.
The Philadelphia Water Department makes analytical testing results available to the public, and homeowners should stay informed about the risks and take steps to protect themselves. Using certified water filters and avoiding certain consumer products can reduce exposure to PFAS.
Specific Information on PFAS Levels
The recent PFAS testing results in Philadelphia’s tap water show varying concentrations of different chemicals on different sampling dates. The Philadelphia Water Department began testing tap water for PFAS in 2019 and continues to monitor levels.
The PFAS compounds mentioned in the text include PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxA, PFDoA, PFTrDA, N-ethyl Perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, N-methyl Perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, and PFTeDA. The readings for each PFAS chemical vary across different sample dates, and PFOA and PFOS are the most frequently mentioned PFAS chemicals in the text.
The highest readings for PFOA and PFOS are found on the sample date of 11/08/2021, while the lowest readings for PFOA and PFOS are found on the sample date of 09/13/2021.
It is important to note that Philadelphia’s drinking water has PFAS compounds in it, but none exceed the EPA’s health advisory levels or the State of Pennsylvania’s MCLs. The PFAS testing frequency in Philadelphia is ongoing, and the Philadelphia Water Department makes analytical testing results available to the public.
The EPA has developed a drinking water regulation for two PFAS compounds – PFOA and PFOS and issued health advisories for several PFAS compounds. As such, the Philadelphia Water Department is taking steps to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water. While there’s a need for increased regulation and oversight of PFAS to protect public health and the environment, homeowners in Philadelphia should stay informed about the risks and take steps to protect themselves, such as using a certified water filter or drinking bottled water.
Actions Being Taken
Stay informed about the actions being taken to address the contamination of harmful chemicals in your drinking water to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Philadelphia Water Department is taking steps to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water. They’ve implemented a treatment process that uses granular activated carbon to remove PFAS compounds. Additionally, the Water Department is working to identify and address potential sources of PFAS in the watershed.
It’s important to note that government regulation and oversight are crucial in addressing the issue of PFAS contamination. The EPA has developed a National PFAS Strategy and PFAS Action Plan to address PFAS contamination across the country. They’ve also developed a drinking water regulation for two PFAS compounds – PFOA and PFOS, and issued health advisories for several PFAS compounds.
Continued research and funding are needed to develop new methods to remove PFAS from drinking water and to designate more PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under CERCLA.
As a resident of Philadelphia, it’s important to stay informed about the actions being taken by the Philadelphia Water Department and government agencies to address PFAS contamination in your drinking water.
Protecting Yourself from PFAS
Protect yourself and your family from harmful chemicals by taking action to reduce your exposure to PFAS in your daily life. One way to do this is by using certified water filters, which can effectively remove PFAS from tap water. Look for filters that are certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association to ensure they meet industry standards and can effectively remove PFAS.
If you prefer bottled water options, look for brands that use reverse osmosis or carbon filtration, as these methods have been shown to effectively remove PFAS. You can also reduce your exposure to PFAS by avoiding certain consumer products, such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics.
Educating yourself and your family on the risks of PFAS and taking proactive steps to reduce exposure can help protect your health and well-being.
Conclusion
Now that you know about the presence of PFAS in Philadelphia’s drinking water, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from the potential health risks.
Although the levels of PFAS in the water do not exceed the EPA’s health advisory levels, it’s still a good idea to use a certified water filter or drink bottled water to ensure that you’re not exposed to harmful chemicals.
The Philadelphia Water Department is actively working to reduce PFAS levels in the water, but there is still a need for increased regulation and oversight of PFAS to protect public health and the environment.
By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can help to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy in the face of this growing concern.
Stay vigilant and stay protected.
