If you’re following the news, you’ve probably heard about 3M’s whopping 3.1 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with “Forever Chemicals.”Even though innovative water treatment techniques have considerably reduced the contaminants that enter our water supply, water contamination is still a severe problem for people in the United States and across the globe.
Of all the contaminants like E. coli, Giardia, noroviruses, lead, and arsenic, Americans are still exposed to Forever Chemicals daily, not just through water but consumer products we use daily, from personal products to food packaging and more. That was the bad news— the good news is that there are a few treatment solutions to detect and remove traces of Forever Chemicals from your water supply.
What Contaminants are in 3M Forever Chemicals?
When you turned on your tap today, you, like 330 million other Americans, consumed water contaminated with PFAS (poly-fluoroalkyl substances)—Forever Chemicals. 3M Forever Chemicals are a class of nearly 12,000 manufacturing chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA.
1. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Linked to high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- Filterability: Typically removed by activated carbon filters.
- Typical 3M Use: Production of non-stick cookware and water-resistant fabrics.
- Current Use by 3M: Phased out in 2002 as part of the U.S. EPA’s PFOA Stewardship Program.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Committed to EPA-mandated efforts to reduce environmental release and product content levels.
2. PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate):
- Health Effects: Similar to PFOA; high cholesterol, immune system effects, thyroid dysfunction, and developmental issues in infants.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters are effective.
- Typical 3M Use: Production of firefighting foam, carpets, and some paper products.
- Current Use by 3M: Voluntarily phased out in 2002.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Engaged in cleanup and remediation efforts at sites associated with PFOS manufacturing.
3. PFHxS (Perfluorohexane Sulfonate):
- Health Effects: Not as widely studied as PFOA/PFOS but considered to have similar effects.
- Filterability: Removed by activated carbon filters.
- Typical 3M Use: Used in firefighting foams and some cleaning products.
- Current Use by 3M: Not officially phased out, but production has significantly decreased.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified, but likely following similar disposal protocols as for PFOA and PFOS.
4. PFNA (Perfluorononanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Linked to potential developmental issues and interference with hormones.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters have been shown to reduce PFNA.
- Typical 3M Use: Not primarily produced by 3M but found in certain consumer products.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited data on its specific usage within 3M as of 2021.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
5. PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Limited research; however, concerns are similar to other PFAS.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters can be effective.
- Typical 3M Use: Lesser-known in consumer products.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited data on its specific usage within 3M.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
6. PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid):
- Health Effects: Considered less toxic than PFOS but still a cause for concern.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters can reduce PFBS.
- Typical 3M Use: Replacement for PFOS in some applications.
- Current Use by 3M: Used as a safer alternative to PFOS in some applications.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Promoted as having a better environmental and human health profile compared to PFOS, though still under research.
7. PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Limited research but potential developmental and hormone interference.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters may be effective.
- Typical 3M Use: Not prevalent in major consumer products.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited data on its specific usage within 3M.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
8. PFUnDA (Perfluoroundecanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Research is ongoing; concerns align with other PFAS.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters can be effective.
- Typical 3M Use: Limited consumer product prevalence.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited use as of 2021.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
9. PFDoDA (Perfluorododecanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Limited research but has potential adverse health implications.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters might be effective.
- Typical 3M Use: Not widely used in consumer products.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited data on its specific usage within 3M.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
10. PFHxDA (Perfluorohexadecanoic Acid):
- Health Effects: Not widely studied, but potential concerns align with other PFAS.
- Filterability: Activated carbon filters can reduce levels.
- Typical 3M Use: Found in specialized industrial applications.
- Current Use by 3M: Limited use as of 2021, typically in specialized industrial applications.
- 3M Disposal Efforts: Not specified.
What are Forever Chemicals?
Forever Chemicals are aptly named as these manufactured substances break down slowly over time, resulting in accumulation in the environment and our bodies. Forever Chemicals is a fancy name for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Of these, only two PFAS are commonly found in the environment—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
“Water is the driving force of all nature.”
Leonardo da Vinci
How Do Forever Chemicals Get in Your Water Supply?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) created an interactive map that shows the different facilities that release PFAS. These places include:
- Carwashes
- airports
- military bases
- Sewage and waste treatment plants
- Carpet, fabric, leather, and other textile product mills
- Petroleum stations
- terminals
- refineries
Chemical, plastic, resin, and paint manufacturing plants3M Forever Chemicals are released into the environment in several ways, including air, soil, and water, and can enter your water supply directly from industrial wastewater.
3M Forever Chemicals are used in the company’s nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products, such as clothing and cookware, and have been linked to various health problems, including liver and immune system damage and some cancers. 3M knew that some of their products, like non-stick pans, were poisoning you in the 70s but still kept selling them.
How to Test Water for 3M Forever Chemicals?
3M Forever Chemicals are around us, and there is a great chance you’ve been exposed to them at some point. But as the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure” Here’s how to test if drinking water is safe. The first thing worth noting is that the regulations restricting the levels of Forever Chemicals in your local water system vary by state and city.
The best way to check whether your water is contaminated with Forever Chemicals is by contacting your municipal water system and asking them if they’ve tested the water supply for Forever Chemicals. You can also use this link to view a water system’s annual water quality report through the EPA. Simply enter your state or county.
Best Filtration Products for 3M Forever Chemicals
Remember, 3M Forever Chemicals aren’t the only contaminants in your water, so ideally, you should install any of the three filtration products to enjoy safe drinking water.
“What we do in the present determines the purity of our future.”
Adapted from Mahatma Gandhi
1. ClearlyFiltered
Founded in 2011, ClearlyFiltered believes water shouldn’t contain harmful chemicals or other contaminants. The company claims to have developed the most advanced filtration technologies in the world, and this philosophy is evident in all its products.
Affinity® Filtration is unlike typical water filters and boasts a unique dual-technology approach that can remove up to 99.9% of 365+ contaminants, including Forever Chemicals, giving you the peace of mind that the water in your home is clean and safe.
ClearlyFiltered offers three Forever Chemical filters: a water pitcher filter, an under-the-sink filter, and a refrigerator filter. I’ve been using the Clearly Filtered water pitcher for a while and unlike my old water filter that produced water that tasted just fine, it did contain dangerous chemicals it did to begin with.
The ClearlyFiltered water pitcher is truly a game changer and is fitted with a remarkable filtration device. It is backed by Affinity Filtration technology and offers a 100-gallon average filter life.
If you’re worried about the tap water running through your home, Clearly Filtered have you covered with the most potent 3-stage under-the-sink water filter system. This system targets an impressive 232+ contaminants, is easy to install, and is compatible with any sink. It has a 2000-gallon filter life and is built in the USA with high-quality filters.
2. Hydroviv
Another esteemed company that promises to filter a spectrum of contaminants in your water, Hydroviv offers a variety of water filters for different taps in your home, like faucets and showers.
Regarding filtration technology, Hydroviv does things a bit differently than Clearly Filtered by analyzing the issues that impact your specific water quality and then creating personalized water filters for each of their customers.
The company says it has developed the holy grail of water filters that can be installed in less than 15 minutes.
Hydroviv water filters feature a patented under-sink water filter system and say that GenX and other PFAS are not detectable in water their filters have filtered.
Understanding 3M’s Role in Forever Chemicals
Ever since I stumbled upon the headlines announcing 3M’s mammoth settlement over water contamination, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock, dismay, and curiosity. How did one of the world’s most renowned conglomerates find themselves at the center of such a grave issue? Determined to find answers, I delved deeper into 3M’s involvement in the spread of these so-called “Forever Chemicals.”
I remember touring a 3M facility in college as part of our industrial visit. The sprawling campus, cutting-edge technology, and innovation-driven ethos left a lasting impression. It was hard for me to reconcile that memory with the company now associated with an environmental scandal of this magnitude.
Digging into the archives, I found that 3M had been manufacturing PFAS since the 1950s. These chemicals, celebrated for their remarkable resistance to heat, grease, and water, became integral ingredients in numerous everyday items, ranging from non-stick cookware to weatherproof garments and firefighting agents.
The convenience they brought into our lives for a long time masked the underlying repercussions we were unaware of. Through a friend working in environmental journalism, I managed to get my hands on internal 3M documents. They painted a distressing picture.
It appeared the company was aware of the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS as early as the 1970s. Yet, they continued production, silently discharging these chemicals into waterways and the environment. My heart sank reading through the memos, research papers, and internal communication that hinted at the scale of the problem.
I distinctly remember my trip to Cottage Grove, Minnesota, near a primary 3M manufacturing site. This town became prominent in the news due to concerns about the contamination of their water supply by PFAS compounds.
A report by the Minnesota Department of Health in the news discussed evidence of an association between PFAS exposure and adverse health outcomes. Mentioned were liver issues and some types of cancers. This study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health also notes these findings.
While there, I encountered a local I’ll address as Sarah, who was open about sharing her family’s encounter with PFASs. Her youngest was diagnosed with a kidney disorder, which some preliminary studies, like one from Environmental Health Perspectives, suggested might have associations with PFAS exposure. “The clarity of our tap water deceived us,” she murmured, her voice laced with profound sadness.
It wasn’t just isolated incidents or towns. The Environmental Working Group estimated that over 100 million Americans could have PFAS-contaminated drinking water. The realization was staggering. Every glass of water I drank, and every meal I cooked in my non-stick pan, came under a cloud of suspicion.
In 2000, 3M did phase out the production of PFOA and PFOS, two primary PFAS chemicals. However, by then, decades of damage had been done. Water sources were tainted, ecosystems were disrupted, and countless lives were impacted. The company’s decision to pay settlements, it clearly shows the need to address chemical dumping and better waste management.
My journey uncovering 3M’s role in this crisis has been an emotional rollercoaster. It is just one small visit exposing the need for transparency, corporate responsibility, and the importance of holding giants accountable for their actions. Today, as I sip water from my ClearlyFiltered pitcher, I can’t help but wonder about the countless others still oblivious to what lurks in their taps.
Final Thoughts
3M Forever Chemicals are a serious issue across the United States and are nearly indestructible. With over 12,000 contaminants in Forever Chemicals alone, I highly recommend buying one of the two water filtration systems – ClearlyFiltered or Hydroviv.
