Protect Your Family’s Water: PFAS “Forever Chemicals” by State + Simple Filter Guide

Your water is essential to you and your family’s health and well-being.
A good water filter is one of the easiest ways to protect it right now.

Start protecting your water today:

Quick Takeaways

  • PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have been found in drinking water in all 50 states
  • More than 143 million Americans may be drinking water with levels above proposed safety limits
  • Only 11 states currently enforce legal drinking-water limits for PFAS
  • Most families have no state-level protection and must act on their own
  • New EPA rules require monitoring by 2027 — still several years away
  • A certified water filter is the most reliable way to reduce PFAS today
  • Look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 — these can cut 95–99% of these chemicals

What Exactly Are PFAS?

  • PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — a big group of man-made chemicals
  • Created by people since the 1940s
  • Companies used them because they resist heat, grease, and water extremely well
  • Found in everyday items for decades:
    • Nonstick pans
    • Waterproof jackets
    • Stain-resistant carpets
    • Fast-food wrappers
    • Many plastic products and coatings
  • The same strong bonds that make them useful also make them almost impossible to break down
  • They don’t break down in soil or water
  • They build up in the environment and in our bodies over time
  • That’s why they’re called “forever chemicals”
  • They travel into rivers, lakes, and groundwater — and from there into the drinking water from your tap

Why This Matters for Your Family’s Health

  • We’re sharing this so you can protect the people you love — not to scare anyone
  • Long-term exposure has been linked to:
    • Developmental effects in infants and children
    • Changes in immune system function
    • Hormone disruptions
    • Higher cholesterol levels
    • Increased risk of certain cancers
  • Researchers estimate these chemicals are now in the blood of more than 99% of people in the U.S.
  • This isn’t rare — almost every American family is dealing with it

Where Is PFAS Contamination Worst?

  • EPA data shows PFAS in drinking-water sources in every state, plus Washington D.C. and several territories
  • Nearly 8,900 known contamination sites nationwide
  • Affects an estimated 143 million people
  • Top 10 states with the most significant contamination:
    1. Michigan
    2. Iowa
    3. Kentucky
    4. Alabama
    5. Louisiana
    6. North Carolina
    7. Pennsylvania
    8. New Jersey
    9. Florida
    10. South Carolina
  • Notable example: Brunswick County, North Carolina, has shown some of the highest rates of certain health issues linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water
  • If you live in Florida or another state on this list, solutions exist — keep reading

Which States Actually Regulate PFAS?

  • Regulation is still catching up
  • Roughly 30 states have some PFAS-related policies (as of early 2025)
  • Most focus on products, not tap water
  • Only 11 states have enforceable legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) for drinking water:
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • Vermont
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin
  • About a dozen more states offer guidance or health advisories (helpful but not legally binding)
  • If your state isn’t listed, there is currently no state requirement protecting your household water from PFAS

What’s Happening at the Federal Level

  • Good progress is underway
  • In April 2024 the EPA set the first national drinking-water limits for several PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS)
  • Limits are set as close to zero as science currently allows
  • Public water systems must start monitoring and sharing results by 2027
  • Systems that exceed limits will have to install treatment
  • Encouraging — but still several years before full nationwide protection
  • For peace of mind now, a home water filter is the fastest reliable step

The Good News: You Can Take Action Today

  • You don’t have to wait for state or federal deadlines
  • The most effective step right now: filter your water with a system tested and certified to reduce PFAS
  • Look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 (most filters) or Standard 58 (reverse osmosis)
  • These certifications mean real lab testing confirmed the filter reduces PFAS like PFOA and PFOS

Simple, no-install options

  • Countertop filtration systems
  • Reduce over 95% of PFAS right out of the box
  • Just fill and use

Reverse osmosis for the highest reduction

Whole-house protection

A Gentle Reminder

  • Families deserve clear, honest information, not fear
  • Forever chemicals are part of daily life for nearly every American right now
  • Practical, affordable protection is available
  • You don’t have to figure it out alone
  • Questions about the right system for your home, family size, or concerns? We’re happy to help
  • Thank you for taking time to look after your family’s health — it matters, and we’re glad to be part of that with you

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical or legal advice. Please check with the EPA or your local water authority for details specific to your area.

 

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