What Is PFAS? Is PFAS A Necessity?
The complete form of PFAS is Perfluoroalkyl and Perfluoroalkyl Substances. These chemicals are used in household and commercial products for making them heat resistant, chemically inert, repel oil and stains, and moisture. These chemicals include Perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid(PFOS).
The usage of PFAS water treatment can easily be banned as there are alternative substances developed to perform all the necessary actions that PFAS performs and at the same time cause less harm to us.
How Does PFAS Enter Our Drinking Water?
PFAS chemicals contaminate drinking water by entering the water at their manufacturing sites. They are transported through rainwater run-offs or seep into the soil, contaminating groundwater. They remain in the water for a long time as they are not broken down by sunlight or other natural processes. If our regular drinking water source is groundwater, the contaminated water will enter our bodies.
Now that we have talked about PFAS and how it enters our drinking water, let’s discuss why we must have a PFAS water treatment.
Here are some of the health fatalities that are caused due to drinking water contaminated with PFAS
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It is linked to cancers
There are chances of breast cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. It also affects our body’s immune systems, thereby making us prone to various diseases- This is also because of deprived secretion of hormones from the thyroid gland and other associated reasons.
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It affects the growth rate in children and affects their learning and behavior
This is because these chemicals affect the baby when they are still inside the womb. There is a pregnancy-induced high pressure which is also known as pre-eclampsia. Also, some developmental effects affect the unborn child, like delayed development of the mammary gland, reduced response to vaccines, and lower birth weight. Apart from that, the lower levels of thyroid hormones also slow down the development trends.
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It lowers women’s chances of getting pregnant
These chemicals meddle with the reproductive systems. For example, in males, it results in low sperm count and mobility, and in females, there is an early onset of puberty.
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It increases the level of cholesterol
Increases in cholesterol levels in the blood increase the risks of heart diseases. There are deposits of fatty acids in the blood vessels, and with time, these deposits increase, which decreases blood flow through the arteries and reaches the heart muscles, thereby resulting in a heart attack.
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It interferes with some of the body’s natural hormones
They affect the hormones secreting organs like the thyroid, liver, and pancreas. These are vital organs, and they secrete several essential hormones. Thyroid glands secrete hormones responsible for the growth and development of the mind and height.
They also secrete hormones that control the secretions of various other hormones. The pancreas and liver are responsible for secreting hormones associated with our digestive system. So affecting these organs implies having problems in metabolism as well. Apart from that, the pancreas is also responsible for releasing hormones that control blood sugar levels.
Conclusion!
These were some of the known harmful effects of PFAS, so you must install the Membrane Systems to ensure that you are consuming PFAS free water. Lastly, it is always a smart move to first filter the water and determine the pH levels before consuming.
