The newly released report shows that our ground water has been contaminated with PFOA and PFOS. These chemicals were used in many consumer products for years, and have now gotten into our water supply. They can cause many negative health effects, and should be avoided whenever possible.

PFAS chemicals are found in Teflon pans and other non-stick products (including microwave popcorn bags and paper packaging for food) and stain resistant or fire resistant products such as carpets and furniture. Avoiding these types of products can help. 

To keep from ingesting PFAS chemicals, it is best to use a water filter for the water that you drink or cook with. You can get a reverse osmosis water filter that you install under your kitchen sink and then have a separate tap for the filtered water for drinking and cooking, or use the Zero water pitcher filter that you can use by filling it up from your sink and then letting it filter into the pitcher. Drinking bottled water can be bad because of the plastic chemicals in the plastic water bottles – especially when the weather is hot. Harder plastics and glass are safer.

For the water in your shower or bath, it can be helpful to install a carbon filter on your shower head, and then even fill a bath through that if needed. Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals can absorb through your skin, and can even absorb quickly through your lungs as you breath them in a shower. 

However, if you take these few precautionary steps you can protect yourself from the majority of the exposure to these toxic chemicals, and you will be healthier for it.

Author Dr. Lynne Mielke Dr. Mielke takes a whole-person approach and uses specialized testing to determine the underlying cause of each person’s health condition.