As tap water contaminated with so-called “forever chemicals” has affected thousands of residents in Pennsylvania and other states, many have turned to bottled water as a safer substitute. But the discovery of PFAS in jugs of spring water being sold in New England has sparked concern about contamination in bottled water, too.
The tainted bottled water in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire raised familiar questions for residents, officials, and local governments that have been dealing with the harmful chemicals in tap water: How much PFAS is safe to drink, and when will it be regulated?
The Food and Drug Administration does not require bottled water testing or have set standards for PFAS, which have been linked to potentially serious health problems, including cancers, thyroid issues, and lowered fertility. There is no federal standard for PFAS in public drinking water, either, but scientists have said restrictive standards are needed for any drinking water and some states have begun creating their own.
Though Pennsylvania regulates bottled water providers, the state does not require PFAS testing and does not have plans to do so, Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Elizabeth Rementer said Tuesday.
Residents in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, where some of the first widespread PFAS public water contamination was found, are among those who have turned to bottled water — sometimes voluntarily, but sometimes out of necessity.
Over the last five years, federally mandated testing of public water systems has revealed PFAS contamination in states from Pennsylvania to California. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used in products from food wrappers to nonstick cookware.
The bottom line is that the installation of a POE carbon filtration system or a POU Reverse Osmosis System is the simple way to avoid being concerned about this contamination. If you have questions about the quality of your water or would like to have a treatment system installed or serviced, contact EPA Water Consultants, your water softener and water filtration system dealer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We provide service all over Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including towns like Washington Crossing, Macungie and Doylestown, PA.
You can read all of the details regarding the PFAS in Bottled Water from the Philadelphia Inquirer here: https://www.inquirer.com/news/pfas-bottled-water-new-england-pennsylvania-regulation-20190730.html
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