PFOA vs. PFAS in Drinking Water: What You Need to Know

Once PFOA and PFAS enter your water, they don’t leave. They accumulate silently in your body every time you take a sip.

A 2023 study found at least one of these chemicals in 45% of U.S. kitchen taps [1]. Not just at treatment plants [1]. Right at the faucet. Private wells and public systems were equally contaminated.

What's even worse is that the study only looked for 32 out of thousands of known PFAS. And in many samples, the levels weren’t just present, they exceeded what the EPA says is safe!

So what are these chemicals? What’s the difference between PFOA and PFAS? And how do you keep them out of your body?

Here’s what you need to know.

What Are PFAS and PFOA?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which is a massive group of man-made chemicals. Thousands exist. You’ll find them in waterproof jackets, fast-food wrappers, and your drinking water.

PFOA is a type of PFAS. Specifically, it’s a long-chain perfluoroalkyl substance with 8 carbon atoms. That’s why you might also see it labeled as “C8.” All of those carbon atoms are bonded to fluorine, making PFOA nearly indestructible.

While all PFAS are concerning, PFOA is the most dangerous. It builds up in our bodies and has been linked to some of the most serious health risks, such as higher cholesterol levels and kidney and testicular cancer [2].

What PFOA and PFAS Do in the Body

PFAS don’t leave your system easily. They’re absorbed through water, food, and air. And they stick around.

Here’s what research has linked PFAS and PFOA to:

• Weakened Immune Function: PFAS interfere with your immune system’s response [3]. They can make vaccines less effective. They can make it harder to fight off infections.
• Increased Cancer Risk: Long-term exposure to PFOA has been associated with higher rates of kidney, liver, prostate, and testicular cancers [4].
• Hormone Disruption: PFAS affect thyroid function and reproductive hormones [5]. That means they can interfere with fertility, metabolism, and even child development.
• Fetal Harm: Babies exposed to PFAS in the womb are more likely to be born with low birth weight or show developmental delays [6].

Should You Worry About PFOA More Than PFAS?

Yes, and here’s why.

PFOA is part of a class called long-chain PFAS, which stay in the body longer and are harder to remove from water. Short-chain PFAS, by contrast, move more easily through the environment, but don’t build up in people as much.

Still, both types are dangerous. And most PFAS haven’t even been studied yet. What we know is alarming. What we don’t know may be worse.

How PFAS and PFOA Enter Your Water

Here’s how PFAS get into your glass [7]:

• Factories using PFAS release waste into nearby rivers or soil.
• Firefighting foams, used at airports and military bases, seep into the groundwater.
• Landfills leach PFAS from old packaging, furniture, and clothing.
• Wastewater treatment plants can’t filter them out completely.

Can You Test Your Water for These Forever Chemicals?

Yes. But it’s not always easy—or cheap.

• Lab testing (LC-MS/MS) is the most accurate. But it requires professional collection and costs hundreds of dollars.
• Mail-in kits like SimpleLab or Safe Home are easier. You collect a sample at home and mail it in. But most are for just a few common PFAS. And they often only detect levels above the safety limit, so you won't know if yours are running dangerously close.

How to Remove PFOA and PFAS from Your Water

Boiling your water doesn’t help. You need real filtration. Here are the best options:

• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Removes 80% or more of PFOA [9]. Common in many home pitchers like Brita and municipal systems.
• Ion Exchange Resins: Use electrically charged particles to attract and remove PFAS. Effective, but usually found in larger filtration systems [10].
• Reverse Osmosis (RO): The gold standard. Removes 90 %+ of PFOA and other PFAS. Higher up-front cost, but very effective [11].

Where Else Are You Exposed to PFOA and PFAS?

Your water isn’t the only problem. Here are five common sources of PFOA and other PFAS:

• Food Packaging: This generalizes "microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers" to include a broader range of packaging for prepared foods, bakery items, and even some take-out containers. The goal is to make these resistant to grease and water.
• Non-stick Cookware: Non-stick coatings (like Teflon, a well-known brand of PTFE, which is a type of PFAS) are a very common source of PFOA exposure. Even if newer non-stick pans are "PFOA-free," they often still contain other PFAS.
• Water- and Stain-Repellent Products: Any items treated to resist water, grease, and stains. For example, you might find them in clothing, especially outdoor gear like rain jackets. Some stain removal products might also contain PFAS.

Why Haven't We Banned These "Forever Chemicals" Yet?

A full ban on PFAS might seem obvious. But it’s complicated.

These chemicals are still used in vital sectors like medicine, aerospace, and electronics [12]. A sudden ban could cause real disruption. That’s why most experts recommend a targeted phaseout: start with non-essential uses, regulate the rest tightly, and fund safer alternatives [13].

In short: Kill what we can. Control what we can’t, yet.

PFOA vs. PFAS: The Difference That Matters

PFOA and PFAS aren’t just technical terms, they’re a growing threat to the safety of your drinking water. PFAS is the family. PFOA is one of its most dangerous members. Both persist in the environment.

Both accumulate in your body. But PFOA’s structure makes it more likely to stick around and do harm. Understanding the distinction matters because your health depends on it. Testing, filtration, and awareness aren’t optional anymore. They’re tools to keep your water healthy.