Is There PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Houston Water?

PFAS, often referred to as “Forever Chemicals,” are present in Houston water utilities and tap water. The question is: how much, and should you be concerned? Recent EPA testing shows these toxic chemicals in drinking water with PFAS levels in Houston-area public water systems, but are thankfully below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which are the highest ‘safe levels,’ in several cases, meaning corrective action will soon be required by water companies and drinking water utilities.

According to the Texas Tribune, 49 public water utility systems in Texas have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly established federal standards and federal limits for five types of forever chemicals in American 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 municipal water supplies and water systems have submitted their results.

Three harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS were found in Houston Water (Houston Public Works) according to the Environmental Working Group.

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 man-made chemicals that are widespread and remarkably persistent in the environment. This family of chemicals, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” do not naturally break down and can remain in soil, source water, and even human blood for decades. These hazardous substances have been used since the 1940s to resist heat and repel oil and water, and they are found in thousands of consumer products, from nonstick cookware to firefighting foams. Long-term exposure to these compounds in drinking water has been linked to various adverse health effects.

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.

Certain parts of the Houston 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 significant petrochemical and manufacturing industries, Houston could experience varying degrees of PFAS contamination across its water sources including Lake Houston, Lake Conroe, and the San Jacinto River.

Living near locations such as airports, military bases, industrial sites, or firefighter training facilities can put residents at a higher risk of PFAS exposure and increased risk of cancer. These sites have historically used PFAS-containing firefighting foams during training and emergency response activities, which can seep into the ground through urban runoff and agricultural runoff, and contaminate nearby water supplies and source water. Houston residents living near these areas, including those around Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or William P. Hobby Airport, might have greater health concerns about the presence of these radiological contaminants in their tap water samples, especially at levels exceeding the one-in-a-million cancer risk level.

Manufacturing and industrial operations in Houston are another important factor to consider. With its robust economic landscape and strong presence in the petrochemical and energy sectors, the city has seen a variety of manufacturing activities — 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 Houston, understanding the current PFAS levels in their water supply is critical. Culligan of Houston, 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.

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 regulatory standards and federal regulations will be required to reduce these perfluorinated chemicals within five years to ensure safe drinking water and protect public health.

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 and water supply with this class of chemicals. The lawsuit is part of a larger multi-district litigation effort involving cities and individuals across the country, similar to cases in West Virginia and along the Ohio River.

Dallas claims that firefighting foam containing PFAS was used for decades at nearby airports, industrial sites, and military bases, leading to contamination of groundwater and soil through industrial runoff and waste streams. While Dallas’s tap water safety currently meets new EPA standards for PFAS according to Consumer Confidence Reports and water quality reports, the city seeks compensation for the high costs associated with ongoing water monitoring and treatment methods. This lawsuit follows similar actions by other Texas cities and the Texas Attorney General, and comes amid broader national settlements involving 3M, DuPont, and other corporate partners for PFAS-related damages. Dallas Public Media and their daily weekday newsletter have been tracking these developments for concerned residents.

Removing PFAS Forever Chemicals from tap water is a complex process that requires advanced filtration methods and water treatment techniques. Culligan offers several water filtration products that can help address common contaminants and harmful contaminants like PFAS. Here are some options for safer water:

Culligan PFAS filters are specifically engineered to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water along with other potential contaminants such as haloacetic acids, dichloroacetic acid, and trichloroacetic acid that can form during chlorination of drinking water.

Culligan systems use advanced filtration technologies including Ion Exchange with a high Flow Rate to effectively target and reduce PFAS contamination. One of the primary methods employed is activated carbon filtration, which works using carbon walls with grains of carbon and granules of carbon in multiple layers of carbon. This technology adsorbs PFAS molecules and trapping them within the filter material. This significantly lowers PFAS levels, helping to deliver cleaner, safer water for your home and providing peace of mind about your tap water safety.

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 PFAS Filter. 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 and public health authorities believe that human exposure to PFAS (also called “forever chemicals”) can harm your health in several ways, including risk of cancers. Epidemiological studies and peer-reviewed scientific studies are ongoing, but so far, human studies have shown that PFAS can cause adverse health effects even at levels below national averages or legal limit — especially causing developmental damage and damage to infants.

According to the EPA and based on independent testing that exceeds federal level benchmarks for testing, 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 and their health effects 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.