PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is one of the most well-known PFAS "forever chemicals." It was widely used for decades in the production of Teflon non-stick coatings, Gore-Tex waterproof fabrics, food packaging, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used to fight fires.

In April 2024, the EPA established the first-ever federal drinking water standard for PFOA at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) — an extremely low limit reflecting how toxic this chemical is even at trace levels. Water utilities must comply by 2029.

Why Is PFOA Dangerous?

PFOA does not break down in the environment or in the human body. It accumulates over time, with a half-life of about 3.5 years in the bloodstream. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as a Group 1 known human carcinogen in November 2023 — the highest classification for cancer-causing substances.

Major health concerns include:

• Kidney and testicular cancer (confirmed in studies of exposed communities, including the C8 Health Project involving 69,000 residents near a DuPont plant in West Virginia)
• Thyroid disease and hormone disruption
• Immune system suppression, including reduced vaccine effectiveness in children
• Liver damage and elevated cholesterol (one of the most consistent findings across studies)
• Reproductive and developmental effects, including pre-eclampsia and low birth weight
• Ulcerative colitis

How Does PFOA Get Into Drinking Water?

PFOA enters water supplies primarily through industrial discharge from manufacturing plants (notably DuPont/Chemours facilities), runoff from military bases and airports where AFFF firefighting foam was used, and leachate from landfills containing PFAS-treated products. Once in groundwater, PFOA is extremely persistent and can travel long distances through aquifers.

Although PFOA production was voluntarily phased out in the US by 2015 under the EPA Stewardship Program, legacy contamination persists in water supplies across the country because PFOA does not break down naturally.

PFOA vs. Other PFAS

PFOA is part of the larger PFAS family of over 14,000 chemicals. It is a "long-chain" PFAS (8 carbons), which makes it more persistent in the body than shorter-chain alternatives. Other commonly detected PFAS in drinking water include PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX (HFPO-DA). The EPA's 2024 rule sets individual limits for PFOA and PFOS (4 ppt each) and a combined "Hazard Index" limit for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS.

How to Remove PFOA From Your Water

The most effective home treatment options for PFOA are:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): Removes 90-99% of PFOA. The most effective home solution. Under-sink RO systems range from $150-$500. Look for NSF/ANSI 58 certification.
• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): NSF-certified GAC filters can remove 90%+ of PFOA when properly maintained. Replace filters on schedule — exhausted carbon can release trapped PFAS back into water.
• Ion Exchange: Effective in whole-house systems designed for PFAS removal. Higher upfront cost ($1,000-$3,000) but treats all water in the home.

Standard pitcher filters and basic carbon filters may not be effective against PFOA. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF P473 certification specifically for PFAS removal. Brands like Clearly Filtered, Travel Berkey, and Epic Water Filters have been independently tested for PFAS reduction.

Regulatory History

PFOA was unregulated for decades. The EPA issued a health advisory of 70 ppt (combined PFOA + PFOS) in 2016, then updated it to a near-zero advisory of 0.004 ppt in 2022. The enforceable MCL of 4 ppt was finalized in April 2024 under the SDWA. Water utilities must monitor and comply by 2029.