Drinking water is an essential resource, as it is fundamental to life and health. However, despite the rigorous controls required by national and European laws, it is at risk of contamination by dangerous and persistent substances known as PFAS.
But what exactly are they?
PFAS or “perfluoroalkyl substances” are a large group of synthetic, man-made chemical compounds used in many products for their water-repellent and non-stick properties. They are therefore found in a variety of domestic and industrial applications, such as stain-resistant products, non-stick coatings and even food packaging.
Unfortunately, this has the serious consequence that PFAS are extremely persistent both in the environment and in our bodies, accumulating over time and thus posing a serious risk to human health.
PFAS and drinking water: a dangerous combination
One of the main sources of exposure to PFAS is drinking water, especially in areas close to landfills or industrial sites. The presence of PFAS in water can cause various health problems in humans, such as hormonal disorders, immune problems and an increased risk of certain forms of cancer. In this regard, a recent 2024 study by Xie's group, focusing on how PFAS can pass from plasma to the blood-brain barrier, also reiterated how FOSA, one of the high molecular weight PFAS, is associated with the onset or development of glioma.
This is why the growing presence of PFAS in drinking water is becoming a major challenge for both public health and environmental sustainability. To reduce the risks associated with these substances, it is imperative to implement constant monitoring strategies and advanced treatment technologies, such as activated carbon filters and nanofiltration membranes.
It is therefore essential and urgent that authorities and companies in the water sector adopt effective protection, monitoring and treatment measures in order to reduce this contamination and guarantee safe and clean water for everyone, including through controls and sustainable solutions.
Regulating and defining stricter safety limits are fundamental steps in protecting the quality of drinking water. Only through a shared commitment between governments, industries and citizens can this invisible threat be effectively addressed, ensuring access to safe drinking water free of hazardous substances for future generations.
In Europe, Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, amending the previous REACH Regulation, introduces bans and transition periods for the phasing out of PFHxA (and its related substances, considered the most dangerous PFAS) and related substances, in order to protect human health and the environment.
GVS's commitment to monitoring PFAS
At GVS, we are at the forefront of supporting laboratories and companies with our PFAS-Free Verified range, designed to cover all stages of PFAS monitoring:
- Sample Collection (Package bottle)
- Sample Preparation (syringes, Abluo filters, and Separa vials without syringe)
- Liquid Handling (Pasteur pipettes and tips)
- Extraction (SPE cartridges)
- Analysis (HPLC columns)
A complete, reliable, and certified solution to ensure
safe results that comply with regulatory standards.
To learn more, visit the digital
catalogue.
Sources
Xie MY, Lin ZY, Sun XF, Feng JJ, Mai L, Wu CC, Huang GL, Wang P, Liu YW, Liu LY, Zeng EY. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in plasma and their blood-brain barrier transmission efficiency-A pilot study. Environ Int. 2024 May;187:108719. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108719. Epub 2024 May 6. PMID: 38718677.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/it/ip_24_4763
