What is Groundwater?
Groundwater is water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
PFAS in Groundwater
Groundwater supplies are susceptible to a large number of pollutants, including PFAS. These forever chemicals enter the groundwater at sites where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled.
PFAS are highly mobile and can be transported through rainwater run-off and enter surface water (i.e. lakes and ponds) or seep through the soil and migrate into large groundwater aquifers used for drinking water.
Related Article: PFAS Exposure Suit
How Can I Remove PFAS From Groundwater?
The most common treatment approach for removing PFAS is via a method known as groundwater extraction and filtration. This approach involves interceptor wells that pump groundwater to the surface and filter out the forever chemicals using granular activated carbon or ion-exchange resins.
Why is Groundwater So Important?
- Groundwater supplies drinking water for more than half of the total U.S. population and 99% of the rural population.
- Groundwater helps grow food.
- 64% of groundwater is used for irrigation to grow crops.
- Groundwater is an essential component in many industrial processes.
- Groundwater is a source of recharge for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Are PFAS in Rain Water?
Unsafe levels of PFAS and other hazardous chemicals are present in rainwater around the world, according to an August 2022 study published in Environmental Science and Technology [1].
The research confirmed that PFAS are so ubiquitous in the environment that they now make their way into the Earth’s atmosphere, typically as a result of sea spray aerosols. It’s from there that PFAS make their way into rainwater, which results in PFAS contaminating soil across the globe, often at levels that exceed recommended health guidelines.
Should I Be Worried About PFAS in Water?
Exposure to PFAS in water at levels above the Lifetime Health Advisory set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been linked to pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. This complication can include not only high blood pressure but also damage to other organ systems including the liver and kidneys.
Related Articles:
- PFAS Linked to Liver Cancer
- PFAS Linked to Testicular Cancer
- PFAS Linked to Kidney Cancer
- PFAS Linked to Ovarian Cancer
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