THIS WEEK’S FOCUS - WATER
If we only changed one thing to lower PFAS exposure, we’d start with water. It’s one of the most consistent, everyday inputs—and it’s also one of the most fixable.
This issue is a simple, no-drama roadmap: what matters, what to do this week, and how to choose the right next step for your budget.
WHAT PFAS ARE - 60 SECONDS
The 60 second breakdown on PFAS and Forever Chemicals
PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are a large family of man-made chemicals designed to resist heat, water, and oil. That durability is exactly why they don’t break down easily in the environment—and why they can show up in places like drinking water.
The goal here isn’t perfection. It’s reducing the biggest repeat exposures first.
Why It Matters…
Water is a “small daily dose” that adds up because it’s constant: drinking, cooking, coffee, ice, soups, and even pets’ water bowls. If PFAS are present in a local supply or a well, water can become a steady background exposure.
The good news: unlike a full lifestyle overhaul, water is one of the cleanest one-and-done improvements you can make.
Source: West Virginia University
Your Quick Guide
What Matters This Week (No Noise)
Here’s the short version:
If you’re on municipal water, you may already have PFAS monitoring data available locally.
If you’re on a private well, you’re typically responsible for testing.
If you’re going to filter, you want PFAS-specific performance, not vague “better taste” marketing.
The 10-Minute Step (Do This Today)
Step 1: Figure out your water type
City/municipal or private well?
Step 2: Find your local PFAS info (municipal)
Search your utility’s latest Water Quality Report / Consumer Confidence Report and look for PFAS language (or “PFOA/PFOS”).
Step 3: If you’re on a well
Put “PFAS test” on your near-term list. Even one baseline test helps you decide if filtration is worth it.
Our friends over at Tap Score have multiple water testing kits including a PFAS Test Kit and a Private Well Testing Kit
The best new is just click any of the links above and enter code PASSONPFAS10 at checkout and you’ll earn $10 off on $100 purchase
Practical Swaps: Best / Budget / Upgrade (Water Edition)
Best (highest confidence):
A filter system that’s tested for PFAS reduction (look for clear PFAS claims + documentation, not just “removes contaminants”).
Budget (good enough for many):
A pitcher or countertop option that explicitly lists PFAS (or PFOA/PFOS) reduction in its tested claims.
Upgrade (for serious reduction):
A more robust under-sink setup designed for PFAS reduction—especially if your local data or testing suggests elevated levels.
(When you want, we can plug in your exact living setup—city vs well, renter vs owner, budget—and we’ll pick a specific direction that fits.)
Quick Check: How to Spot Real PFAS Performance
When a brand claims PFAS reduction, we want to see:
PFAS listed explicitly (PFAS, PFOA, PFOS)
A test report or certification language that’s easy to find
Clear filter replacement intervals (because performance depends on maintenance)
If it’s all marketing and no specifics, we pass.
Next Week
Next issue, we’ll keep building from water into the next easiest category (still five minutes, still practical): cookware and food contact materials—what actually matters and what’s mostly noise.
We may earn a commission from links in this email.
If this helped, subscribe and share with one person who wants a simpler way to lower PFAS exposure:
passonpfas.com
