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This post introduces PFOA and PFOS, their impact on human health, and methods to remove them from drinking water.
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PFOA and PFOS In Water-What they are and How to remove? INTEC AMERICA
PFOA and PFOS Overview PFOA and PFOS belong to Perfluorinated alkylated substances PFAS group of chemicals. The PFOA stands for Perfluorooctanoic acid, whereas PFOS stands for Perfluorooctane sulfonate. They have ability to repel water and oil. These artificial chemicals are used in several industrial applications and products. E.g. non-stick cookware, food wraps, stain repellents, and fire repellent foams which possess a heavy dose of PFOA and PFOS. These chemicals eventually make their way into our water resources due to insufficient collection and industrial water disposal methods. These chemicals have adverse effect on human health if consumed and found in drinking water.
What is PFOA? It is manmade chemical. You’ll find it in product that resist sticking, heat, stains, and grease. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been a manufactured perfluorochemical and a byproduct in producing fluoropolymers. Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products which resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water.
What is PFOS? Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is one of a group of related chemicals known as perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS). These are also called perfluorochemicals (PFCs). This group of chemicals is commonly used in a wide range of industrial processes and is found in many consumer products. PFOS has been used in stain-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packaging, and as a surfactant in industrial processes.
How PFOA and PFOS occur in water? These chemicals are released into natural water sources via industrial or domestic wastewater disposal. Also, the use of commercial products with these chemicals releases these chemicals into the environment. Thus, they are found in soil, air, surface water, ground water, drinking water, etc. Consumption of drinking water with contaminated PFOA and PFOS is proven hazardous for human health. Therefore, the organizations like The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Water Research Foundation, and a few organizations recommended the removal of these contaminants from drinking water.
What Are the Hazards of Having PFOA and PFOS In Drinking Water? • The following adverse effects of the presence of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water and its consumption are addressed by EPA. • Liver damage • Cholesterol fluctuations and thyroid • Testicular cancer or kidney cancer • Developmental abnormality to infants if consumed by their mother during pregnancy. • Accelerated puberty, less birth weight, and skeletal variations, etc. are common hazards to infants.
How to remove PFOA and PFOS from water? According to the studies of EPA, PFOA and PFOS resist the filtration via most of the conventional chemical and microbial filtration techniques. However, the following are three techniques that are proven effective in the removal of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
How to remove PFOA and PFOS? Carbon Filtration Reverse Osmosis Ion Exchange Activated carbon is known for attracting chemical contaminants in water. When PFOA and PFOS contaminated water passes through the activated carbon filter, the carbon granules trap the micro-contaminants like dissolved chemicals. This a moderately effective method to remove these chemicals from water. Reverse osmosis (RO) is an effective method of micro-filtration. It is known for the removal of ions, chemicals, and micro-sediment filtration via a semipermeable membrane. Commonly, the reverse osmosis technology is a very effective treatment of drinking water to remove PFOA and PFOS. Ion exchange or ionization is a highly effective method of PFOS removal, moderately effective at PFOA removal, and failed in its ability to remove many PFAS. Some newer resins work better using both ion exchange and absorption properties. In this process, the charged resin attracts specific chemical contamination that attach to the surface or are absorbed into the resin resulting in a reduction of PFOA and PFOS ions.
Products Now that you know how to remove PFOA from drinking water as discussed, you must know that the quality of water purification equipment enhances the quality of water. Therefore, one must source the equipment from prominent companies like Intec America. This US-based company has been offering water treatment solutions such as copper ionization systems to its clients since 1973. They are one of the first few companies to commercialize the NASA-developed water treatment systems. The experience, expertise, and technology selection Intec America offer prove them to be an ideal partner to source your advanced water treatment systems for the removal of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
Contact us E-mail steve.mccune@intec-america.com Website www.intec-america.com/ Phone (985) 839-1112 PO Box 505,Franklinton, LA 70438 Address