Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are chemical compounds that include perfluorooctane sulfonate acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). These compounds are commonly referred to as the “forever chemicals” because of their persistent nature. Unlike biodegradable materials, they do not readily break down into harmless particles. Rather, their long life coupled with their extensive use, misuse, and improper disposal over the years has resulted in the contamination of drinking water at various locations throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Fortunately, PFASs can be removed by using the right type of water filter.
PFASs have been used for decades in the manufacture of ordinary household products like cleaning supplies, fingernail polish, and pesticides. Industries that relied on them included electronics, construction, and aerospace as well as the military. They have also been used in the production of firefighting foam used to extinguish petroleum-based fires at refineries, airports, and chemical manufacturing plants. Because of their water resistance and nonstick nature, PFASs were used as early as the 1940s in the production of nonstick cookware and nonstick food wrappers. Additionally, products used to treat fabric, furniture, and carpet so that they would repel liquids and resist stains often included PFASs.
PFASs have been in development since the 1930s. DuPont was one of the first companies to introduce products containing PFASs when it began to market Teflon-coated nonstick cookware. In the 1950s, a laboratory assistant working for 3M accidentally spilled a substance on her shoe that made her shoe waterproof. 3M used that discovery to treat various products and materials to make them impervious to liquids and resist stains. That was the beginning of Scotchgard. During the 1960s, a fatal fire aboard a U.S. Navy ship led to further development of PFASs in the form of a foam that could extinguish petroleum fires. PFAS soon became a staple on U.S. Military bases. There are now thousands of PFAS chemicals in everyday products that range from microwave popcorn bags to corrosion-resistant wiring.
During the years 2005 to 2013, a scientific panel consisting of three highly regarded epidemiologists studied the effect of PFASs on human health. They concluded that there was a probable link between PFASs and many illnesses, including high cholesterol, thyroid disease, cancer of the kidneys, certain types of colitis, and testicular cancer. More recently, a Harvard University study indicates that the harmful health effects of PFASs may have previously been underestimated. The Harvard study adds several more illnesses to the list that could result from PFASs, including decreased fertility and an increased risk of asthma. Recently, during the Covid pandemic, it has also come to light that PFASs may affect a person’s immune system, making them more likely to contract Covid.
PFASs have only recently been suspected of causing adverse health effects, and their past disposal was not highly regulated. Some manufacturing firms disposed of materials containing PFASs by dumping liquids onto the ground, flushing liquids down sanitary sewers, or burying products in landfills. Firefighters often sprayed the ground with foam containing PFASs, and the foam was then washed away. Through seepage, the chemicals eventually found their way into groundwater, which is the source of most drinking water. Additionally, unwary residents inappropriately disposed of materials containing PFASs, which led to additional groundwater and drinking water contamination.
As time goes on, more and more water systems are being discovered that contain PFASs. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently revised its estimates of water systems containing PFASs from 2,377 locations to nearly 2,800 locations. This includes over 2,400 public drinking water systems and more than 300 military installations. PFASs have been discovered in municipal and county water systems as well as in private water systems and private wells. The EWG estimates that more than two million Americans are exposed to PFASs in their drinking water.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a health advisory regarding the presence of PFASs in drinking water. This advisory recommends that the amount of PFASs in drinking water be limited to 70 parts per trillion. When both PFOAs and PFOSs are found in drinking water, the EPA recommends that the combined total of the two be limited to 70 parts per trillion. This concentration level was chosen by the EPA to guard against a number of health issues, including the following:
• Adverse health effects to breastfed infants, including low birth weight
• Adverse immune effects, including antibody production
• Adverse liver effects, including tissue damage
• Cholesterol changes
• Developmental effects on fetuses during pregnancy
• Testicular and kidney cancer
• Thyroid effects
The best way to remove PFAS from your drinking water is to install a water filtering system that contains a carbon filter like those used by Evo Water Systems in their Whole House Water Filters and their Whole House Water Filter and Salt-Free Softener Combos. The EPA has stated that carbon filtering is one of the most effective ways of removing PFAS from drinking water, especially when the carbon filter is included in a system that treats water as it comes into the home, such as a whole house water filtering system. One reason that carbon is so effective is because it is a highly porous material that has the ability to trap a variety of contaminants. Each of the whole house water filtering systems supplied by Evo Water Systems contains a high-performance Catalytic Activated Coconut Shell Carbon Block filter. This makes them particularly effective in removing PFASs as well as other chemicals.
Not only will a whole house water filtering system containing the right type of carbon filter remove PFASs, but it will also remove a large number of other chemicals and organic materials. Here is a partial list of chemicals that such a water filtering system will remove:
• Alcohols
• Antifreeze
• Bleach
• Chlorine
• Herbicides
• Pesticides
• PCBs
• Solvents
• Vinegar
Here is a partial list of organic materials that a whole house water filtering system containing the right type of carbon filter will remove:
• Benzene
• Bromodichloromethane
• Chloroform
• Glyphosate
• Monochlorobenzene
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Styrene
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Vinyl Chloride
• Xylene
No, boiling your water will not eliminate PFAS. In fact, it could actually increase the concentration of PFASs in your drinking water. While it is true that water contaminated with bacteria is safe to drink after boiling it, the same is not true for PFASs. Bacteria cannot survive at elevated temperatures, so they are destroyed when water is boiled. However, PFASs are resistant to heat. After all, remember that one of their primary uses in the past has been in nonstick cookware. When you boil water, the amount of water is reduced because of evaporation, but the amount of PFASs remains constant, so the concentration level actually increases.
Fortunately, many manufacturers have voluntarily stopped using PFASs in their products. However, there is no current federal mandate to do so. EPA and its partners continue to investigate the subject. Their research includes efforts to better identify and quantify risks, more fully understand the harmful effects of certain chemicals included in the PFAS family and eventually manage and dispose of PFAS. Other organizations involved in PFAS research and elimination efforts include the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Choosing the right whole house filter and salt-free softener for your home can be an overwhelming decision, but we are here to help. If you have ANY questions, feel free to call us during business hours and we’ll be happy to speak with you as long as necessary. If speaking on the phone is not your thing, you can also use the form on our contact page, and we’ll respond as soon as humanly possible.
It took me a bit to get it installed but that was my fault the system is giving me vast improvements on my water quality, I was having a lot of lime scale build up and the results are almost all of the build up is gone in a month of use . I’ve been recommending to everyone that has been considering a water softener.
Swapped out old salt softener for the E-3000 filter and salt free softener which Evo claims is the best of both worlds, and it actually is! I immediately noticed a big difference in my water quality.
Top notch customer service and product! So glad we purchased the E1000 water system.
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-1000 | Traditional Tank Filter | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) |
Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) |
||
| Sale Price: From $776.12 |
1-3 Bathrooms: $820 - $875 4-6 Bathrooms: $1,035 - $1,150 |
||
|
All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. |
Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
| No Carbon Dust | Carbon Dust in Tubs and Toilets | ||
|
Easy Install - Only 2 Connections |
More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 4 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended |
||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
|
Easy Plug-and-Play Filter Changes - You're Never Without Filtered Water |
Requires Removing Loose Wet Carbon From Filter Tank - Plus 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak Before Use and Often Requires a Plumber | ||
|
20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable |
10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable |
||
|
High-Performance Carbon Block Technology - 7 to 10 Times More Surface Area Than Standard Loose Granular Activated Carbon Media |
Loose Granular Activated Carbon | ||
| Performance Guarantee |
Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
| No Channeling or Floating of Carbon Media | Possible Channeling and Floating of Carbon Media That Reduces Pressure and Performance | ||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
All Evo systems are made with certified components and designed for peak performance. Cities and Municipalities often vary the amount of chemicals they introduce into your water throughout the year and in doing so it can affect the longevity of your filter. Replacing your filters once a year ensures that your system is operating at peak performance at all times.
The Evo filters also utilize a Catalytic Activated Coconut Shell Carbon Block technology giving the best filtration possible without the carbon dust, channeling, and flow issues associated with loose granular coal base carbon found in traditional tank-style filters. Simply put, whole house water filtration has Evolved and so has the way you filter your water.
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-2000 | Traditional Tank Softener | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) |
Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) |
||
| Sale Price: From $1,074.23 |
1-3 Bathrooms: $1,430 - $1,560 4-6 Bathrooms: $1,730 - $1,885 |
||
|
All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. |
Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
|
Easy Install - Only 2 Connections |
More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 4 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended |
||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
|
20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable |
10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable |
||
|
eSoft Salt-Free TAC Technology - Superior Performance at Standard Flow Rates (Showers, Sinks, and Toilets) |
Salt-Free Technology -Requires Higher Flow Rates to Achieve Proper Contact Time |
||
| Performance Guarantee |
Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-3000 | Traditional 2-Tank Combo | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) |
Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) |
||
| Sale Price: From $1,598.24 |
1-3 Bathrooms: $2,150 - $2,300 4-6 Bathrooms: $2,600 - $2,850 |
||
|
All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. |
Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
| No Carbon Dust | Carbon Dust in Tubs and Toilets | ||
|
Easy Install - Only 2 Connections |
More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 6 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended |
||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
|
Easy Plug-and-Play Filter Changes - You're Never Without Filtered Water |
Requires Removing Loose Wet Carbon From Filter Tank - Plus 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak Before Use and Often Requires a Plumber | ||
|
20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable |
10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable |
||
|
eSoft Salt-Free TAC Technology - Superior Performance at Standard Flow Rates (Showers, Sinks, and Toilets) |
Salt-Free Technology -Requires Higher Flow Rates to Achieve Proper Contact Time |
||
|
High-Performance Carbon Block Technology - 7 to 10 Times More Surface Area Than Standard Loose Granular Activated Carbon Media |
Loose Granular Activated Carbon | ||
| Performance Guarantee |
Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
| No Channeling or Floating of Carbon Media | Possible Channeling and Floating of Carbon Media That Reduces Pressure and Performance | ||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer |
||
All Evo systems are made with certified components and designed for peak performance. Cities and Municipalities often vary the amount of chemicals they introduce into your water throughout the year and in doing so it can affect the longevity of your filter. Replacing your filters once a year ensures that your system is operating at peak performance at all times.
The Evo filters also utilize a Catalytic Activated Coconut Shell Carbon Block technology giving the best filtration possible without the carbon dust, channeling, and flow issues associated with loose granular coal base carbon found in traditional tank-style filters. Simply put, whole house water filtration has Evolved and so has the way you filter your water.
