Is There PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Dallas Water?

PFAS, often referred to as “Forever Chemicals,” are present in Dallas water utilities The question is: how much, and should you be concerned? Recent EPA testing shows PFAS levels in Dallas-area drinking water are above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which are the highest ‘safe level,’ in several cases, meaning corrective action will soon be required.According to the Texas Tribune,  49 public water utility systems in Texas have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly established limits for five types of “forever chemicals” in drinking water, based on data provided to the federal agency. View the full list of utilities here. Experts believe the actual number could be higher, as not all systems have submitted their results.

In addition to exceeding the EPA’s maximum contaminant levels, three harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS were found in the Dallas Water Utility at levels exceeding the Environmental Working Group’s health-based limits.

Curious if PFAS have been found in your neighborhood? Click here to view a map of PFAS contamination in the U.S.

PFAS — short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are widespread and remarkably persistent in the environment. Nicknamed “forever chemicals,” they do not naturally break down and can remain in soil, water, and even human blood for decades. These substances have been used since the 1940s to resist heat and repel oil and water, and they are found in thousands of products, from nonstick cookware to firefighting foams.

Although there are more than 12,000 known PFAS compounds, the EPA’s newly announced standards set limits for five specific chemicals: PFOA and PFOS are restricted to 4 parts per trillion, while PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA are limited to 10 parts per trillion.

For reference, a part per trillion (ppt) is roughly equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools or one second in 32,000 years. These updated interim Health Advisory Levels are below the detection capabilities of current laboratory testing technology. They serve as interim guidance until formal regulations or Maximum Contaminant Levels are established.

On April 10, 2024, the United States government introduced its first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect citizens from PFAS forever chemicals. The new rules to regulate six types of PFAS chemicals were developed based on feedback from the public and stakeholders, with over 120,000 comments considered. The EPA believes that these rules will protect about 100 million people from PFAS exposure over time, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses related to PFAS.

The EPA has also announced that it will be offering substantial funding, including $1 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to help test and treat PFAS in not only public water systems but address contamination in private wells as well.

The new regulations set limits known as ‘Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs’ for individual PFAS like PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, as well as a combined limit for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. While these regulations will help to protect from 6 PFAS, there are over 15,000 PFAS chemicals.

Areas where PFAS levels exceed these new standards — including parts of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex — will be required to reduce PFAS within five years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with the state of Texas, has taken steps towards regulating PFAS in drinking water. In March 2023, the EPA proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS. Finalized contaminant Levels are expected by the end of 2023. You can view the EPA’s proposed action for PFAS here.

EPA’s ongoing efforts under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) involve collecting data for unregulated contaminants suspected in drinking water. This data aids in regulating such contaminants. The fifth UCMR phase (UCMR 5) requires sampling for 30 chemical contaminants, including PFAS, between 2023 and 2025.

Under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), water systems nationwide, including in Texas, are required to monitor for PFAS between 2023 and 2025.

The city of Dallas is suing 3M, DuPont, and other chemical companies, alleging they contaminated the city’s drinking water with PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” which are toxic, long-lasting, and linked to serious health risks. The lawsuit is part of a larger multi-district litigation effort involving cities and individuals across the country. Dallas claims that firefighting foam containing PFAS was used for decades at nearby airports and military bases, leading to contamination of groundwater and soil. While Dallas’s drinking water currently meets new EPA standards for PFAS, the city seeks compensation for the high costs associated with ongoing water monitoring and treatment. This lawsuit follows similar actions by Fort Worth and the Texas Attorney General, and comes amid broader national settlements involving 3M, DuPont, and others for PFAS-related damages.

Certain areas have a higher propensity for PFAS-contaminated water. For example, if you live near an airport or a firefighter training facility where many of these chemicals have historically been used, there’s a good chance they’re still found in relatively high concentrations. Areas around manufacturing centers also commonly have elevated levels of PFAS, since they were used in the production of carpet, food packaging and production, and many other consumer goods.

Certain parts of the Dallas area may be more vulnerable to elevated levels of PFAS due to the city’s history of industrial and commercial activity. As a major metropolitan area with a wide range of industries, Dallas could experience varying degrees of PFAS contamination across its water sources.

Living near locations such as airports, military bases, or firefighter training facilities can put residents at a higher risk of PFAS exposure. These sites have historically used PFAS-containing firefighting foams during training and emergency response activities, which can seep into the ground and contaminate nearby water supplies. Dallas residents living near these areas might have greater concerns about the presence of PFAS in their tap water.

Manufacturing and industrial operations in Dallas are another important factor to consider. With its robust economic landscape, the city has seen a variety of manufacturing activities, including those related to textiles, electronics, and consumer goods — industries where PFAS compounds have often been used. Over time, these chemicals could have entered the local water system, potentially leading to elevated PFAS levels in certain neighborhoods.

For residents of Dallas, understanding the current PFAS levels in their water supply is critical. Culligan of Dallas, with its expertise in water treatment and purification, is well-equipped to provide residents with detailed information and effective solutions to address any PFAS-related concerns.

Removing PFAS Forever Chemicals from water is a complex process that requires advanced filtration techniques. Culligan offers several products that can help address PFAS contamination. Here are a few options:

Culligan PFAS filters are specifically engineered to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water.

Culligan systems use advanced filtration technologies to effectively target and reduce PFAS contamination. One of the primary methods employed is activated carbon filtration, which works by adsorbing PFAS molecules and trapping them within the filter material. This significantly lowers PFAS levels, helping to deliver cleaner, safer water for your home.

Culligan’s PFAS filters are certified by independent third-party organizations to verify their effectiveness in removing PFAS from water. While specific certification details for each PFAS filter may vary, Culligan products are typically certified by reputable organizations such as NSF International, the Water Quality Association (WQA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

These certifications confirm that Culligan’s PFAS filters meet strict industry standards for contaminant reduction and overall performance. They offer added confidence that the filters have been rigorously tested and are proven to effectively lower PFAS levels in drinking water.

Pitcher filters, like those commonly used for home water filtration, may vary in their ability to remove PFAS compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. Some pitcher filters are designed with activated carbon filters that can help reduce certain contaminants, including PFAS, from drinking water. However, the effectiveness of pitcher filters against PFAS can vary based on the specific brand and model.

If you are concerned about PFAS contamination and want to ensure the efficacy of a pitcher filter in removing these chemicals, it’s advisable to choose a filter that explicitly states it can remove PFAS, such as Culligan’s RO system or whole home water filtration system. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications and certifications to determine the filter’s effectiveness against PFAS and other contaminants.

PFOA, the most notable substance of the PFAS family, was found to be a part of the manufacturing process of Teflon. The EPA sued DuPont in 2005 for failing to report a health risk to both humans and the environment. The company paid a $10.25 million settlement.

Because of PFOA and PFAS strong molecular structure, they take much longer to break down naturally than other organic chemicals.

Until 2002, PFOA were integral in producing goods which qualities repel dirt, grease, water and stains.

These contaminants can be found in the manufacturing process of a variety of products, including non-stick cookware, carpet-care liquids, treated apparel, upholstery or textiles, sealants, dental floss, floor wax and non-woven medical garments. Though PFTE non-stick cookware was proven to have PFOA levels, a recent study found levels that ranged from undetectable to 4.3 parts per billion, and it is not currently considered a major pathway for PFOA.

Just last year, United Nations experts recommended banning PFOA globally at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Will the United States follow suit based on recent outbreaks in Texas and Michigan.

According to a study from 2002-2005, people who lived in the PFOA-contaminated area around DuPont’s Washington Works facility were found to have higher levels of PFOA in their blood from drinking water. People that drank more tap water, ate locally grown fruits and vegetables, or ate local meat, were all associated with having higher PFOA levels.

Residents who used carbon filter systems had lower PFOA levels.” Studies have found that using carbon-activated filters can reduce PFOA by up to 60%.

Scientists believe that being exposed to PFAS (also called “forever chemicals”) can harm your health in several ways, including risk of cancers. Research is still ongoing, but so far, studies have shown that PFAS can cause problems even at low levels over long periods — especially in children.

According to the EPA, exposure to certain PFAS chemicals may cause:

These effects are contingent on a few things, whether the person is that of a population that is typically deemed at-risk, such as infants, the elderly, or pregnant women. The effects also vary based off of the level of exposure.

There’s still a lot to learn about PFAS because:

We are not only exposed to PFAS chemicals through drinking water, they are also found in consumer products we use every day.  According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS, known for their oil and water resistance, non-stick, and fire-resistant qualities, are commonly added to various everyday products used by most Americans such as the following:

A class action lawsuit alleges Simply Tropical and Simply Orange beverages have been promoted as “All Natural” and made with “all-natural ingredients.” Nevertheless, the lawsuit contends that lab tests conducted on Simply Tropical contradict these claims, revealing the presence of PFAS, artificial chemicals that are not natural.

An analysis by Toxic-Free Future tested 60 items from various categories, discovering that 35 products, mostly leggings and yoga pants, had fluorine levels exceeding 100 parts per million, a strong PFAS indicator. Among the brands tested were Lululemon and Old Navy. Of these, three-quarters contained banned long-chain PFAS compounds. Notably, 28% of the tested products contained PFAS, with 34 out of 47 items with water-resistance claims showing PFAS presence. An additional investigation also found PFAS in popular sportswear brands, raising questions about long-term exposure risks associated with PFAS-coated clothing.

The Thinx underwear brand was involved in a lawsuit alleging their products contained PFAS after the marketed their products as a safe, sustainable product, free of harmful chemicals. The period underwear company has settled a lawsuit regarding allegations of inadequate product effectiveness and misleading advertising.

According to Green Matters, Consumer Reports detailed the levels of PFAS found in many popular carbonated water brands contain. Topo Chico, owned by Coca-Cola Co., was an extreme outlier containing 9.76 parts per trillion. Most brands tested were only slightly above 1 part per trillion, with Poland Spring at 1.66, Canada Dry at 1.24, LaCroix at 1.16 and Perrier at 1.1. As for non-carbonated water, Deer Park tested at 1.21 parts per trillion.