PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals. These substances are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t easily degrade in the environment and are highly persistent in the human body and natural world.

Once released into the environment, e.g. during manufacturing or after leaching from a consumer product, PFAS are very mobile and tend to migrate in the water and remain intact for very long periods of time. PFAS have been found in ecosystems all around the world, even in the most remote areas such as the Arctic. They have also been detected in the blood and breast milk of people and wildlife globally.

Because it is extremely challenging for water treatment plants to remove PFAS from water, contamination of drinking water with PFAS is a rising issue.

What are PFAS?

PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), also known as the “forever chemicals”, are a large chemical family of over 10,000 that contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest in organic chemistry.

These highly persistent chemicals don’t occur in nature. [1]

Types of PFAS

There are thousands of different PFAS chemicals, but these are mainly divided into two groups: polymers and non-polymers.

Examples of polymers include PTFE, FEP, ETFE, and PFA. They are referred to as ‘polymers of low concern’ due to their high molecular weight and are extremely stable.

Non-polymer PFAS are considered more dangerous and have been researched far more extensively. They appear to be relatively more abundant at PFAS investigation sites and have been most commonly detected in humans, and the environment. [2]

What are PFAS used in?

PFAS are used in a wide range of consumer products due to their ability to repel both grease and water.

Common Uses Include:

Non-stick cookware (e.g., Teflon)
Waterproof clothing and fabric treatments
Stain-resistant carpets and upholstery
Food packaging (e.g., microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers)
Firefighting foam (AFFF – aqueous film-forming foam)
Cosmetics and other consumer goods (e.g. smartphones)

How do PFAS affect human health?

PFAS used in everyday products leak into the environment during production, use, and disposal, and are now persistent in the human body.

These chemicals can accumulate over time and pose significant risks to human health. Research has linked PFAS exposure to a range of health problems, which can vary in severity depending on the level and duration of exposure.

PFAS exposure has been linked to:

Kidney and testicular cancer
Liver damage
Hormonal Disruption
Immune System Impairment
High cholesterol and heart disease
Ulcerative colitis
Obesity
Reduced Response to vaccines

Ongoing research continues to explore other potential health risks associated with PFAS, including effects on the nervous system, metabolism, and even the risk of autoimmune diseases. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the breadth of their impact on human health. [3]

How are PFAS regulated?

In August 2024, the Drinking Water Inspectorate published updated guidance for PFAS in drinking water. The new total limit on PFAS (the sum of 48 measured PFAS) should not exceed 100 ng/L which is equivalent to 0.1 parts per billion in England and Wales as of 1 January 2025.  [4]

Our Water Treatment Solutions

Reducing exposure to PFAS and addressing their presence in the environment is essential to preventing long-term health problems in individuals and populations. It is stated that the biggest exposure by far is known to be consumption through drinking water. [5]

We have a range of water treatment products that are specifically designed to remove PFAS from the drinking water.

At Pump Express, we recognize that the UK’s water supply is among the best globally, but we believe drinking water should be pure—nothing else.

If you want cleaner water for peace of mind, taste, or health, we have the perfect solution. Explore our range below or call 01633 244777 for a chat!

Find Out More About Our Range Of PFAS Filters..

Reference List: 

[1] https://chemtrust.org/pfas/

[2] https://dwi.gov.uk/pfas-and-forever-chemicals/

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7906952/

[4] https://www.rsc.org/policy-evidence-campaigns/environmental-sustainability/sustainability-reports-surveys-and-campaigns/cleaning-up-uk-drinking-water/

[5] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poly-and-perfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-sources-pathways-and-environmental-data/poly-and-perfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-sources-pathways-and-environmental-data-summary.

What Are Microplastics and Are They a Problem?

Microplastics are widespread environmental pollutants found in oceans, rivers, lakes, soil even on remote islands and polar regions, posing a growing threat to wildlife ecosystems and human health. These tiny particles can take centuries to break down, accumulating in marine environments and entering the food chain.

Studies suggest that humans may ingest microplastics through seafood, water, and even the air, raising concerns about long-term health effects. Once released, microplastics are nearly impossible to remove, persisting in the environment for generations. [1]

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are very small plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm (0.2 inches). They are found in everyday products such as cosmetics, synthetic clothing, plastic bags, and bottles. Many of them enter the environment as waste. Microplastics consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms bound together in polymer chains. Other chemicals, such as phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), are typically also present in microplastics. Many of these chemical additives leach out of the plastics after entering the environment. [2]

Type of Microplastics

Microplastics are divided into two main categories depending on their source:

· Primary microplastics – These are intentionally manufactures in small size and directly released in the environment as small particles. They are estimated to represent between 15-31% of microplastics in the oceans.

Main sources of primary microplastics include laundering of synthetic clothes (35% of primary microplastics); abrasion of tyres through driving (28%); intentionally added microplastics in personal care products, for example microbeads in facial scrubs (2%)

· Secondary microplastics– they originate from degradation of larger plastic objects, such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets and account for 69-81% of microplastics found in the oceans. [3]

There is a type of microplastics called nanoplastics. These are particles with a size of less than 1 micrometer (µm), making them even smaller than microplastics and impossible to be seen with the naked eye. Avoiding nanoplastics in our daily lives is almost impossible because of the extensive usage of plastic products.

What are primary microplastics used for?

Microplastics are intentionally added to a variety of products, including fertilizers, pesticides, cosmetics, detergents, cleaning products, paints, and industrial materials used in the oil and gas sector. They are also commonly found as soft infill in artificial turf sports pitches.

In consumer products, microplastics are best known for their use as abrasives, such as microbeads in exfoliating and polishing cosmetics. However, they also serve other functions, including enhancing product thickness, stability, and appearance. Microplastics can even be found in glitter and makeup.[4]

Available data suggests that up to 50% of the plastic products manufactured each year, are designed for single use only further contribute to the growing microplastic pollution crisis. It is concerning that more than 10 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans annually, [ 5]

Where do we encounter Microplastics?

We encounter microplastics everywhere from drinking water, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, cleaning products, rain, seafood, table salt, and even commonly consumed beverages, such as beer. In fact, a new study estimates that the average adult consumes approximately 2,000 microplastics per year through salt. [6]

The attention of researchers is focused on microplastics in water for now, because they are easy to find, test and analyse.

How do microplastics affect human health?

Nano- and microplastics can enter the human body through the respiratory system via inhalation, the digestive tract via consumption of contaminated food and water, or penetration through the skin via cosmetics and clothes contact.

These compounds are linked to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, inflammation, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer. [7]

The full extent of microplastics’ impact on human health is still being studied, but minimizing exposure is becoming a growing concern.

What is microplastics’ effect on the environment?

Microplastics have a significant impact on the environment, affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health. Here are some key effects:

Water Pollution – Microplastics contaminate oceans, rivers, and lakes, making their way into drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.

Harm to Marine Life – Fish, seabirds, and other marine animals ingest microplastics, leading to malnutrition, toxicity, and sometimes death.

Soil Contamination – Microplastics in agricultural land reduce soil quality and may affect plant growth.

Bioaccumulation – These tiny plastics move up the food chain as animals consume contaminated prey, eventually reaching humans.

Chemical Pollution – Microplastics can absorb harmful chemicals, introducing toxins into the environment and living organisms.

Airborne Spread – Microplastics can be carried by wind, polluting even remote areas.

What action is being taken to reduce microplastic waste?

The UK government has implemented several measures to combat plastic pollution.

Plastic microbeads are no longer used in cosmetics and personal care products in the UK The ban came into effect in January 2018.

Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) came into force in the UK on 1 April 2022 aiming to encourage the use of recycled materials and reduce plastic waste.

The government also plans to implement a Deposit Return Scheme by 2027 to encourage recycling of single-use drink containers.

Meanwhile, it is important that each individual takes actions to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment and human health.

Using EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommended daily water intakes, the corresponding exposures to MPs in different UK age groups were estimated. On a body weight (BW) basis, infants and toddlers were exposed (4 MP/kg BW/day) at a higher level than adults (1 MP/kg BW/day). This raises concern, given the former’s incompletely developed immune/nervous systems rendering them at higher risk of adverse health effects from such exposure. [8]

Find Out More About Our Range Of Microplastics Filters..

We acknowledge that the UK’s water supply is very good. Far better than many countries across the world.

We believe, however, that drinking water should just be pure water and nothing else.

We have a range of water treatment product that significantly remove microplastics and other impurities from your water.

References:

[1]. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/microplastics-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-a-problem/

[2] https://www.britannica.com/technology/microplastic

[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20181116STO19217/microplastics-sources-effects-and-solutions

[4]. https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/microplastics

[5] https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/

[6] https://www.undp.org/kosovo/blog/microplastics-human-health-how-much-do-they-harm-us

[7] https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere

[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405665024001185