National Sanitation Foundation: In November 2016, National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) announced a test method and protocol to verify a water treatment device’s ability to reduce PFOA and PFOS to below the current EPA Lifetime HA. While ATSDR does not endorse a particular water filter, at total of 17 Aquasana, Inc. drinking water filters were the first products to earn certification from NSF for PFOA and PFOS (NSF 2016). Go to the webpage and click on PFOS and PFOA removal in the box for an approved list.
Minnesota Dept of Health home device study: A study by the Minnesota Department of Health showed that water filtration devices (point-of-use devices at a single tap, faucet, or outlet) can remove some PFAS from water. This study evaluated devices in two categories: those using granulated active carbon and those using multiple methods of removal in combination. All 11 devices evaluated removed PFAS in the field test to below the quantifiable detection limits used in this study. The researchers concluded that these results suggest that when applied, installed, operated, and maintained according to the manufacturers’ specifications, the eleven devices tested will effectively remove PFAS at the concentrations tested for up to 500 gallons before service and/or replacement is required (Olsen and Paulson 2008).
Study of home point of use devices by University of Arizona: Anumol et al (2015) evaluated point-of-use devices for removal of trace organics, and found significant removal of PFOA and PFOS. The results in this study varied by type of filter (refrigerator or pitcher point-of use), and efficiency of removal declined based on the manufactured expected lifetime and other water quality factors and contaminants present. Based on these studies, there currently are three general types of filtration systems that can potentially can reduce PFAS levels in water, if properly maintained: granulated activated carbon – either in refrigerator, faucet, or pitcher filters and some filtration systems installed on your water line; reverse osmosis; or granulated activated carbon used with reverse osmosis.
