What Are PFAS (Forever Chemicals)? 

PFAS is the name of a whole category of dangerous chemicals in our water. PFAS stands for "polyfluoroalkyl substances". Entire chains of carbon-fluorine molecules get so tightly bonded that they never seem to break down. The bond is labeled as "the strongest in organic chemistry," because fluorine forms the most potent single bond to carbon. The bond strength is why polyfluoroalkyl substances have been nicknamed "Forever Chemicals". 

Forever chemicals are dangerous, because they suppress the immune system and precipitate diseases. CDC states animal and human testing shows evidence that PFOA and PFOS suppressed animal antibody responses. [ Animal & Human Testing - CDC]

Hope for Solving the PFAS Problem

It used to be thought that you couldn't remove PFAS from the environment or body. But, we now see some hope. This article discusses recent discoveries about forever chemicals and solutions for removing PFAS from the home environment and body. 

Nano-Platinum Can Break the PFAS Fluorine-Carbon Bond! 

Finally, something that can break a carbon-fluorine bond! 

Scientists at Brookhaven Labs have found that single atoms of platinum (nano-platinum) can break the bond between carbon and fluorine. [ Brookhaven Labs Study]

"Platinum is an especially strong metal, capable of splitting hydrogen gas into individual hydrogen atoms—a key step towards breaking the carbon-fluorine bond." 

Platinum also catalyzes electrolysis (water ionization), which is why the electrodes in all good water ionizers are coated with platinum. It has been known for a long time that water ionizers help the immune system. Could it partially be due to the "nano-platinum" in ionized water? ["Platinum nano-particles have a healing effect on the body." See The Benefits of Water Ionizers.]

I draw your attention to the two following relevant studies cited on the Research page. [Hydrogen & Ionized Water Research]

1. In vitro study shows that alkaline ionized water has an additional antioxidative factor: platinum nanoparticles make it superior to other hydrogen applications for scavenging radicals.
2. Animal study shows hydrogen water and the nano platinum in ionized water improve glucose signaling pathways.

When nano amounts of platinum circulate the bloodstream, do they break down any PFAS with which it comes in contact? I think so.

PFAS Everywhere

How Do We Get Exposed to PFAS? 

Preventing exposure is one of the best ways to "fight" PFAS. Therefore, learning more about how you can be exposed makes sense.

PFOA and PFOS are widely used to make carpets, water-resistant and stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, paper plates, food-wrappers & containers, and other materials resistant to water, heat, grease and stains.

They also have been found in some foods and are commonly used for firefighting and in a number of industrial processes. 

The University of Washington School of Public Health reports “ The most common way children may be exposed to PFAS is by eating or drinking contaminated liquids (drinking water) or foods.”

How The PFAS Cycle Has Grown to Be Such a Problem

Forever chemicals have been used in industry for about 60 or so years. Over that time, the industrial wastes and degraded products in landfills have gotten deep into the groundwater. 

Instead of dissipating, as most chemicals do, forever chemicals collect and their concentrations have grown over time. 

PFAS get into the rivers and ground water in various ways and this infected water keeps recycling round and round (ever growing in its PFAS concentration). 

Can PFAS Be Filtered Out of the Drinking Water? 

Municipalities have yet to find inexpensive enough ways to remove PFAS from the municipal water supply, but single-use home water filter systems often work to remove it at home. 

The best of these are the UltraWater filters. UltraWater filter technology is superior to all the other water filters in the world. UltraWater filters work better than reverse osmosis to remove chemicals like fluoride or PFAS. [ UltraWater Filter Technology]

The water quality engineers at AlkaViva studied and applied NASA space technology to water filtration. The original purpose for this technology was to be able to recycle urine and sweat to make healthy water, 

The AlkaViva experts took all the known best water filter media and put it into a solid block filter. A solid block forces water to disperse through the filter evenly, avoiding channeling. The result is the most advanced levels of water filtration known to man. AlkaViva does rigorous testing on the filters too.

Here’s a chart showing the most dangerous forever chemicals and how UltraWater filtration removes them. 

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – PFOAS (Forever Chemicals)

Contaminant-Levels Before & After UltraWater Filtration

(Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Reported in Micrograms/Liter)

The Ultra Solution to PFAS Dangers

Of course, the "ultra solution" to PFAS in your water and body would be AlkaViva H2 Water Ionizers, which use both UltraWater filters and they have the highest grade of platinum-coated electrodes.[ AlkaViva H2 Water Ionizers]

Working its way through UltraWater filters and then platinum-coated electrodes at a pace of 1.5 liters/minute, the water that emerges is incredibly free of chemicals and healthy. [Testimonials - Drinking Ionized Water]

Should You Just Ignore PFAS? 

CDC states animal and human testing shows evidence that PFOA and PFOS suppressed the antibody responses from animals. 

We should protect and help people with suppressed immune systems, especially children, from PFAS exposure.

Because children are still developing, they may be more sensitive to the harmful effects of chemicals such as PFAS. Things like body size, activity-level, and percentage of water in the body affect the rate of exposure to PFAS. 

Reduce the exposure to PFAS

This list shows the best practices for reducing the dangers of PFAS for yourself and your loved ones.

• Drink ionized water (discussed above) 
• Use UltraWater filtration (discussed above) 
• Eat foods that are less likely to have PFAS 
• Don't use Teflon or similar non-stick coated cookware 
• Avoid fast-food and other foods where the wrappers and packaging have PFAS 
• Furnish your house with healthy furniture & carpeting that is PFAS-free 
• Use HEPA air filters 
• Wear PFAS-free clothing 

Dust in buildings with healthy furniture and carpeting is reported by ACS to be PFAS-free. [ American Chemical Society]

Do You Have to Worry About Bathing or Showering?

PFAS in water does not absorb well through the skin, so it is safe to bathe and shower in. But discourage children from drinking it.

PFAS Video

See an audio-visual version of this blog post.