Does Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS? (Beyond PFAS Series)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as "Forever Chemicals," are common contaminants in public tap water supplies. Reverse osmosis (RO), an advanced water filtration technique, can remove significant amounts of PFAS from water, making it cleaner and safer to drink.
Keep reading to discover why PFAS are a problem, and get the definitive answer to the question: Does RO remove PFAS?
What Are PFAS?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used to make non-stick surfaces, stain-resistant clothing, fire-retardant equipment, and many other everyday items. There are over 15,000 chemicals classified as PFAS. They’ve been around since the 1950s, and they’re problematic because once they enter the environment, they take over a thousand years to degrade.
PFAS can end up in the soil, the water supply, and even in human bodies.
And that’s bad news. PFAS are linked to a variety of health concerns, including:
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Fluctuations in weight and an increased risk of childhood obesity
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An increased risk of some cancers
Research is inconclusive, however, and the full effects of PFAS are still debated. But many governments around the world are taking proactive steps to regulate PFAS levels in the water supply to protect their citizens from potential health risks.
Can Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS?
Reverse osmosis filtration uses high pressure to force potentially contaminated water through extremely fine semipermeable membranes. These membranes block any molecules larger than 0.0001 microns, effectively filtering out PFAS.
To see if your filter can remove PFAS, check what certification it has. Both NSF/ANSI 53 and 58 state that the product has been tested to a standard that filters out PFAS. Tests are performed by accredited third-party experts, for consumers’ peace of mind.
Why PFAS Filtration Is Important
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently changed the guidelines for enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of PFAS. The MCLs are not the same as the non-enforceable MCL goals (MCLGs). For example, the MCLG for the substance PFOA is zero, yet water suppliers won’t be penalized if their water contains 4 parts per trillion of PFOA.
Also, enforcement doesn’t take effect until 2027, meaning there could be higher PFAS levels in tap water right now. Water suppliers will only be required to disclose PFAS volumes in water from 2027 onward.
Effective filtration is the only way to make water as free of PFAS as possible.
Other Tap Water Contaminants
When it comes to reverse osmosis, PFAS are just one of the contaminants this filtration method handles. There are numerous potentially harmful substances in tap water. Here are just a few:
Lead
Lead is a toxic heavy metal associated with neurologic problems, fertility issues, and developmental issues in children. Unfortunately, many buildings built before 1986 (when safe drinking water regulations were made tighter) still have lead pipes. As the pipes corrode, small amounts of lead can enter the water supply.
Even a small amount of lead can be toxic, which is why the EPA has the MCLG for lead set at zero.
Arsenic
Another highly toxic metallic mineral, arsenic enters the water supply through mining, geothermal activity, agriculture, and rainwater moving through rocks containing the substance. Arsenic is linked to a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and several other health conditions.
Since 2001, the EPA standard for acceptable levels of arsenic in water is 10 parts per billion (ppb).
Microplastics
The rise of disposable plastic items, such as single-use plastic bottles, is causing microplastics to become present in almost every aspect of the environment. While microplastic volumes tend to be higher in bottled water than in tap water, there are enough present in tap water that, in 2026, the EPA labeled microplastics a priority contaminant.
Pharmaceuticals
Prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals can enter the water supply through human waste, manufacturing waste, or improper medication disposal. The EPA states that possible contaminants include antibiotics, hormones, and antidepressants, among others.
Disinfection Byproducts
Part of the water treatment process involves disinfection, usually using substances like chlorine. Unfortunately, this disinfection can produce byproducts that may be harmful. Bromate and chlorite are just two of these EPA-regulated compounds, and their enforceable limit is more than zero.
Reverse osmosis filtration systems can block these contaminants, keeping the water in your home safer and cleaner.
Installing Reverse Osmosis Filters at Home
There are many ways to introduce reverse osmosis filtration to your home. You may want to install an under sink system, which ensures that the water flowing from your tap has significantly fewer contaminants than the source water. They’re easy to install, and replacement filters are available for online order.
Alternatively, you might want to invest in a feature-rich water cooler. The Brio 530 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Filtration Water Dispenser, for example, dispenses hot, cold, or ambient temperature water at the push of a button, with every sip clean, odor-free, and delicious.
Find out more about filtration systems that can handle PFAS and more, and browse the Brio collection online.
