"Forever chemicals" is not a marketing term — it's an accurate description. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment or in the human body. They've been manufactured since the 1940s and used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam to food packaging.

They're now in water supplies across the United States, including Ohio. And in 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds — a landmark regulatory moment that's forcing water utilities to take action.

Here's what Ohio homeowners need to know.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. There are thousands of individual PFAS compounds, but the two most studied are:

• PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) — used in Teflon manufacturing and other industrial processes
• PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) — used in Scotchgard and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used by military and airport fire departments

Both PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of U.S. manufacturing, but they persist in the environment because the carbon-fluorine bond — one of the strongest in chemistry — doesn't break down naturally.

Newer PFAS compounds (GenX, PFBS, and others) have replaced the older ones in manufacturing, but their long-term health effects are less well understood.

The research on PFAS health effects is extensive and growing. The EPA and the National Academies of Sciences have linked PFAS exposure to:

• Kidney and testicular cancer (strongest evidence for PFOA)
• Thyroid disease
• Immune system suppression — including reduced vaccine effectiveness in children
• High cholesterol
• Pregnancy complications — including preeclampsia and low birth weight
• Developmental effects in infants and children

PFAS accumulate in the body over time. Because they don't break down, exposure from multiple sources — water, food packaging, cookware, stain-resistant fabrics — adds up. The health effects are associated with cumulative body burden, not just single-source exposure.

In April 2024, the EPA finalized Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds in public drinking water:

Four parts per trillion is an extraordinarily small number — roughly equivalent to four drops of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The EPA set these limits based on the best available science on health effects, and they represent a significant tightening from previous guidance levels.

Public water systems have until 2029 to comply with these standards.

Ohio has multiple PFAS contamination sites, primarily associated with:

• Military bases and airports — AFFF firefighting foam was used extensively at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, and contamination has spread to nearby water supplies
• Industrial facilities — manufacturing plants in the Mahoning Valley and other industrial areas
• Landfills — PFAS leach from landfills into groundwater

The Ohio EPA has been conducting PFAS monitoring across the state. Several communities in the Dayton area have detected PFAS above the new federal limits and are working on treatment solutions.

Columbus draws its water from the Scioto River reservoirs. The Scioto watershed does not have the same concentration of PFAS sources as the Dayton area, and Columbus Division of Water has not reported PFAS detections above the new federal limits in recent monitoring.

However:

1. Monitoring is ongoing — the full picture of PFAS in Ohio water supplies is still being developed as testing becomes more widespread
2. The new federal limits are very low — water that previously tested "clean" may now show detectable levels under the new 4 ppt standard
3. Private wells are not monitored — if you're on a well in central Ohio, you have no way of knowing your PFAS levels without testing

For well water users in particular, PFAS testing is worth adding to your annual water test panel.

The primary pathways:

Industrial discharge — Manufacturing facilities that used or produced PFAS have discharged contaminated wastewater into rivers and streams for decades.

AFFF firefighting foam — Military bases, airports, and fire training facilities used AFFF foam containing PFOS and PFOA. These chemicals leached into groundwater and surface water at and around these sites.

Landfill leachate — Products containing PFAS end up in landfills. As water moves through the landfill, it picks up PFAS and can contaminate nearby groundwater.

Agricultural application — Sewage sludge (biosolids) used as fertilizer has been found to contain PFAS. This is an emerging concern in agricultural areas.

Product use — Stain-resistant carpets, waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, and food packaging all contain PFAS that can leach into the environment over time.

This is where it gets important for homeowners: not all filters remove PFAS.

Reverse osmosis (RO) — The most effective residential treatment for PFAS. A properly functioning RO system removes 90–99% of PFAS from drinking water. This is the gold standard for point-of-use PFAS removal.

Activated carbon (granular activated carbon or GAC) — Effective at removing many PFAS compounds, particularly the longer-chain ones like PFOA and PFOS. Less effective for shorter-chain PFAS. The effectiveness depends on the carbon type, contact time, and the specific PFAS compounds present.

High-pressure membrane systems — Nanofiltration and ultrafiltration can remove PFAS but are typically used at the municipal scale, not in residential applications.

• Standard pitcher filters (Brita, PUR) — minimal PFAS removal
• Sediment filters — no PFAS removal
• Water softeners — no PFAS removal
• UV sterilization — no PFAS removal

If PFAS is a concern, an under-sink reverse osmosis system is the most reliable residential solution. Our alkaline RO system removes PFAS along with nitrates, lead, chlorine, and other contaminants — and adds back beneficial minerals for better taste and pH.

Standard water tests don't include PFAS — you need to specifically request PFAS testing. Options:

State-certified laboratory testing — The most accurate option. A water sample is sent to a certified lab for analysis. Comprehensive PFAS panels test for 40+ compounds and typically cost $150–$400.

EPA Method 533 or 537.1 — These are the standard analytical methods for PFAS in drinking water. Make sure the lab you use is certified for these methods.

At-home test kits — Some PFAS test kits are available for home use, but their accuracy and the range of compounds they detect is more limited than laboratory testing.

For city water users in Columbus, the annual CCR will increasingly include PFAS data as utilities comply with the new federal monitoring requirements. Watch for this in future reports.

For well water users, we recommend adding PFAS to your annual testing panel, especially if you're near a military base, airport, industrial facility, or agricultural area that has used biosolids.

If testing reveals PFAS in your water:

1. Don't panic — PFAS health effects are associated with long-term cumulative exposure, not a single glass of water
2. Install point-of-use RO — An under-sink reverse osmosis system at your kitchen sink provides PFAS-free water for drinking and cooking immediately
3. Consider whole-house treatment — If you're concerned about PFAS exposure through bathing and other uses, whole-house activated carbon filtration can reduce PFAS throughout the home
4. Retest after installation — Verify that your treatment system is working as expected
5. Report to Ohio EPA — If you're on a private well and find PFAS, reporting to the Ohio EPA helps build the picture of contamination in your area

See our alkaline reverse osmosis systems — the most effective residential PFAS solution →

PFAS contamination is a national problem that's been building for 80 years. The 2024 EPA standards are a significant step, but compliance deadlines extend to 2029, and private well users are outside the regulatory framework entirely.

The most reliable protection is point-of-use filtration — specifically reverse osmosis — at your kitchen sink. It's the one solution that works regardless of what's in your source water, and it addresses PFAS along with the full range of other contaminants we've discussed in this series.

We help Columbus & Central Ohio homeowners understand and address their water quality. If you have questions about PFAS testing or treatment options, call us at (614) 476-8711 or schedule a free consultation. We'll test your water and give you a straight answer about what you're dealing with.

• Alkaline Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems — Columbus Ohio
• PFAS Removal with Reverse Osmosis — What Columbus Homeowners Need to Know
• How Much Does a Reverse Osmosis System Cost in Columbus?
• Schedule a Free Water Test