PFAS Forever Chemicals

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently tested 10 pitcher/countertop water filter systems for their ability to remove 25 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (more commonly known as “PFAS”) in tap water. In EWG’s testing, the Travel Berkey gravity-fed water filtration system removed PFAS down to non-detectable levels—placing the system in the “Best Overall” category.

The Travel Berkey system was also praised for its large capacity (5.7 litres) compared to other filters tested, and “exceptionally long filter life” (each pair of authentic Black Berkey water filters can filter up to 22,700 litres of tap water before replacement is recommended). CBS News Philadelphia produced a news story about EWG’s testing, which mentions the Travel Berkey system, which you can watch here. CBS Colorado also mentioned the Travel Berkey system on a TV news segment about EWG’s test.

EWG’s water filter testing results were released one week after the United States Geological Survey (USGS) published their study that found that the drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets contain at least one type of PFAS. PFAS have been in use since at least the 1950s and have been associated with a wide array health concerns in humans, including certain types of cancers and developmental, metabolic, immune disorders and more. This story was also dramatised in the movie "Dark Waters". PFAS are called “forever chemicals” due to the fact that they take a very long time to break down in the environment.

To defend against PFAS in your drinking water, make sure you have a final barrier system in place such as a Berkey gravity-fed water filtration system equipped with powerful Black Berkey water filters that have been independently tested by accredited labs to remove perfluorinated chemicals to below detectable levels.