IS YOUR Water Contaminated with PFAS? Find Out
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 14, 2023
Put DOWN that water glass and step away from the tap. Don’t drink another drop until you read this. Because what could be in there might turn your stomach.
In the 1940s, the U.S. began researching and manufacturing PFOA, the FIRST hazardous per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds. By the early 1950s, it was joined by PFOS, and others soon followed.
Many products we commonly use were soon being manufactured with or from PFAS. For example, furniture, carpeting, food packaging, cookware, and fire-fighting foam.
Soon, these long-lasting, harmful chemicals (nicknamed “forever chemicals”) began building up EVERYWHERE… even inside of US. In fact, it’s estimated that PFAS are in the blood of 97 percent of Americans.
But don’t worry. You can find out if there are PFAS in your water and lower the risk of exposure for you and your entire family…
PFAS are leaked into our rivers from factories, garbage dumps, and discarded products. And that, of course, means they end up in our drinking water, which is one of the main ways the chemicals enter our bodies.
Animal and human studies link PFAS to thyroid hormone disruption, liver issues, cancer, and elevated cholesterol. And in 2005, an EPA advisory panel concluded that PFOA is a “likely” human carcinogen.
While some PFAS were pulled off the market in the early 2000s, new ones have been created and are still finding their way into the environment and us.
If this makes you look at your water glass suspiciously, you SHOULD.
Knowing where your water comes from is the best way to determine how likely it is to be contaminated with PFAS.
You’re less likely to be exposed to PFAS through your drinking water if it comes from a public source rather than a private well. This is because, by law, utility companies have to regularly test for contaminants and tell the public the results.
The non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has an excellent online tap-water database that gathers all this data into one spot. All you have to do is type in your zip code to get lots of useful information.
You can see what utilities serve your area, what contaminants have been found in the water, what health hazards they pose, and EVEN the kind of filtration can remove them.
If you have a personal well and suspect PFAS contamination, you can contact your state health department to inquire about having your well tested. You can also get at-home kits online to test the water coming out of your own tap.
Your BEST protection is to get a home water filter. As a wise doctor friend of mine is fond of saying, “You can either buy a filter or be the filter.”
You DON’T want to be the filter!
There are loads of good options on the market. A reverse osmosis filter will cover the most bases. But be sure to replace the filter as instructed.
P.S. Beware of this OTHER microscopic DANGER hiding in your water.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
5 Warning Signs Men Should NEVER Ignore!
Men—listen up. I know you pride yourself on being tough. You insist on pushing through and refuse to make a fuss about “every little ache and pain.” But here’s the cold, hard truth… That tough guy act? It could KILL you. As a doctor I get an unwanted first-row seat to some hard-learned lessons. Hardly...
Mailbag: Is Your Gut Secretly Attacking Your Joints?
“Can a leaky gut cause sudden onset arthritis? My wife has developed arthritis over a 2-month period that is almost debilitating at this point, and she has constant diarrhea. Are these symptoms connected in some way?” -Leaky and Lost Hi Lost, When my patients ask me about leaky gut, my answer is always the same: “It’s...
“Brain Brew” SLASHES Dementia Risk
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m a coffee fan. There are plenty of good reasons to stay that way. In fact, I shared a reason just last week. But I’ve also made room in my life for another hot beverage—and that’s green tea. Now, new research suggests it was a...
Nature's New Mood Booster? (It's Already in Your Kitchen!)
Scientists uncovered something surprising hiding in plain sight in our kitchens. And it might turn out to be nature’s answer to fighting depression. The best part? You’re probably already eating it… Let’s find out. An exciting new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that naturally occurring spermidine could help keep the blues...
Coffee Mug Hack Could Head Off Cancer
If you’re a coffee lover, it doesn’t get much better than that first cup of morning coffee. But before you reach for your favorite mug, I have some news that might make that java taste EVEN better. A new study finds your coffee habit could protect you from one of the world’s most common cancers…...
WALK Away from Cancer? Study Says “Yes!”
When you’re battling cancer, the LAST thing you need is more questionable advice. Yet a parade of well-meaning folks will insist you must do everything from running marathons to moving to a Greek island in order to outsmart the disease. But what if something as simple as a daily walk could give you the extra...
Separating Diet Fact from Fad
We’ve all been there, scrolling through social media, bombarded by images of perfectly arranged açai bowls and bulletproof coffee, wondering if this is the secret to optimal health. In a world of juice cleanses, paleo, gluten-free, and acai-topped everything, it’s easy to get lost in the maze of the latest and greatest diet trends. But...
Tiny Plastic Particles Found in Your BRAIN
Just when you thought the microplastic problem couldn’t get any worse, scientists have discovered something truly alarming… These microscopic menaces aren’t just floating in our oceans or lurking in our lungs anymore—they’re setting up shop in our brains. And this invasion isn’t a minor one… A startling new study published in Nature Medicine dropped a...
Mailbag: Dizzy Spells? Your Neck Might Be the Culprit
“Could a stiff neck cause vertigo at times?” -Stiff and Spinning Dear Spinning, Occasionally, one of my patients will experience vertigo and a stiff neck simultaneously. Naturally, they want to know if the issues are connected. I explain that while a stiff neck doesn’t directly cause vertigo, there’s an interesting connection between neck issues and...
The Cancer Fuel HIDING In Your Kitchen
We’ve been told for years that seed oils are a heart-healthy alternative to saturated fats. However, groundbreaking new research suggests this “one-size-fits-all” approach to dietary fats is putting your health at risk. In fact, the type of oil you’re using might actually be feeding cancer cells… Researchers recently published a study in the journal Clinical...