Prior to my discussion with Erik Bernal, president and CEO, Elite Water Systems, on Project Sustainability Podcast, I had never really heard about PFAS (perfluorinated alkylated substances). The topic hasn’t really become mainstream until recently. The case he made to me about it on the podcast is that PFAS is in our water and needing to understand it is critical. In fact, now it seems all we talk about is PFAS and how it is in so many things.
For those who may not know already, PFAS are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. The U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Admin.) suggests these chemicals were first used in the 1940s and are now in hundreds of products including fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, and foams, just to name a few.
We all have likely come in contact with PFAS at some point in our life—but that doesn’t necessarily mean we should be ingesting it into our bodies.
When it comes to our water sources, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil, and significant exposure may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, which makes it difficult to study and assess the impact of each.
The good news is there is technology available that makes it possible to remove these chemicals from our water sources. Elite Water Systems is one example of a company that offers a water system that can remove lead and other heavy metals from the water source. This enables homeowners to control the kind of chemicals that are used to cook and clean a home.
Of course, this is simply one example. There are many ways we can leverage technology to create healthier homes.
Certainly, there are additionally many efforts by government to make water safer for all. Across the country, there are many federal and state laws that require public water utilities to meet certain quality and safety standards for drinking purposes. As one example, we know Michigan has created stricter water regulations in response to reports of high lead content in the water. Other states have followed suit and done the same.
Still, at the end of the day, it is the consumers’ responsibility to be good stewards of their environment and to make sure they are consuming clean, purified water. A water filtration system is one of the best ways to ensure the home has water that is safe for cooking and drinking.
All of this makes me wonder if residents really care if they understand PFAS and if they can do anything about it if they rent versus own today. It is certainly food for thought as we all continue our own sustainability journeys. Thank you, Erik, for taking the time to talk to me and now I am paying it forward, as we all continue to recognize the dangers of PFAS. It’s great to know we have executives like Erik who care enough to teach us so we can all be better stewards of the world around us.
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