AquaTru | What Are Forever Chemicals?

As awareness grows around the quality of our drinking water, one group of chemicals in particular seems to attract the most media attention lately, so-called "forever chemicals." And for good reason, many of these aptly-named contaminants can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Surprisingly, these chemicals have been found in some of the most remote locations on our planet, including deep ocean waters, protected forests, and even in Antarctic glaciers.

But perhaps most alarming is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found them to be present in the blood of nearly all Americans. This news has raised concern in the medical and scientific communities, given the growing number of studies linking these chemicals to adverse health effects, even at low levels of exposure.

In this article, we'll explore what "forever chemicals" are, where they come from, and how we can help reduce our exposure to these tiny, but potentially harmful, substances.

Forever Chemicals Truly are Forever

While the words "forever chemicals" have become well-known, many people are still unsure what they actually are or where they come from.

"Forever chemicals" is a common nickname for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS for short), a large group of man-made chemicals originally designed to make everyday products more convenient and durable. They have been widely used in household items that resist stains, grease, water, and heat.

The term itself was coined by Joseph Allen of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Facility in 2018 to highlight the exceptionally strong carbon-fluorine bond in these chemicals, which prevents them from breaking down naturally. As a result, PFAS can persist in the environment for decades and gradually accumulate over time.

Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere

While efforts to reduce our reliance on PFAS have increased in recent years, their widespread use over decades means they remain deeply embedded in our daily lives. PFAS chemicals are commonly found in:

Food packaging and fast-food wrappers
Non-stick cookware
Stain-resistant and waterproof fabrics
Firefighting foam
Paints, sealants, waxes, and lubricants
Personal care items, such as cosmetics, shampoo, and dental floss

Yes, They're Even in Our Drinking Water

However, while exposure to "forever chemicals" can sometimes be reduced by avoiding certain consumer products, there is one source not easily controlled: our drinking water. Multiple studies estimate that at least 45% of U.S. tap water contains one or more types of PFAS in systems across all 50 states.¹

Adding to the concern, forever chemicals cannot be removed by boiling water, the way bacteria or parasites can. This means PFAS may remain in the water used to prepare soups, pasta, tea, and coffee, often with no noticeable change in taste or smell. Watch this short video for a visual breakdown of how PFAS contaminate tap water, and why certain filtration methods are more effective than others:

As Helen Christoni, SVP of AquaTru, explains:

"PFAS/PFOS are called 'forever chemicals' because they last forever. They're endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in at least 45% of the nation's tap water. The best way to make sure you don't have these chemicals in your water is to run them through a reverse-osmosis system."

Why Forever Chemicals Are So Concerning

While it's logical to think these forever chemicals may simply pass in-and-out of the body, the reality is quite different. Much like bad house guests, PFAS don't just show up uninvited, they get comfortable and settle in for the long haul.

PFAS lodge in blood, organs, and tissues, accumulating as more exposure occurs over time. In fact, some studies suggest it may take decades for certain PFAS to leave the body². This semi-permanence is one of the key reasons health experts are paying close attention.

Multiple recent studies have consistently shown that PFAS exposure is associated with higher LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, elevated liver enzymes³, weakened immune response⁴, weight gain⁵, and an increased risk of certain cancers⁶. Importantly, some of these effects have been observed even at relatively low levels, raising concerns about everyday exposure.

While research is ongoing, the pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. The persistence of PFAS in the body, combined with their widespread presence in the environment and our drinking water, has made these chemicals a growing concern for healthcare providers, researchers, and families alike.

The Importance of Knowing the Quality of Your Local Water

Because of this variability, it's important to understand exactly what's actually coming out of your own tap. One way to do this is by testing your water using a home testing kit, which can provide detailed results, but doing so requires time, effort, and added expense.

A faster and more economical starting point is to use publicly available online databases, such as those maintained by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). These tools make it easy to enter your ZIP code and discover which contaminants, including PFAS, have been detected locally.

One other option is to access government-issued water reports. However, while they do exist, many are outdated or based on limited testing. For many households, this uncertainty raises a simple question: how can you be sure your drinking water is clean, safe, and enjoyable regardless of where you live? Fortunately, there's an easy way to remove the guesswork altogether.

The Surprisingly Simple Solution

There is one method that can not only make our home drinking water safer, but also dramatically improve its taste: reverse osmosis water filtration.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a proven filtration process that uses pressure to push water through a semi-permeable membrane designed to block contaminants at the molecular level. Clean, filtered water passes through, while unwanted substances, including many chemicals and particles too small to see, are left behind.

This same process is widely used in the production of bottled water and commercial purification. Scaled-down versions are now available for residential use, making advanced filtration accessible in the home. When properly designed, high-quality reverse osmosis systems are highly effective at reducing a broad range of contaminants found in drinking water, including:

Forever chemicals
Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other microorganisms
Chlorine and disinfection byproducts
Lead and other heavy metals

Unlike basic pitcher filters, which may improve taste but offer limited contaminant removal, reverse osmosis addresses water quality at the source.

It should be noted, however, that not all RO systems on the market are made to the same stringent standards. Because PFAS are exceptionally small and chemically stable, their removal requires a system that consistently performs at a high level over the long term, not just one that happens to have a label marked 'RO'.

So, while some systems may reduce taste or odor issues, they may fall short when it comes to long-term PFAS removal due to:

Absence of certification by trusted organizations, such as NSF and IAPMO
Too few filtration stages to both remove additional contaminants and protect the RO membrane
Low-grade or rapidly degrading RO membranes, which can increase costs and maintenance while reducing effectiveness
Insufficient pressure for effective filtration

As a result, effectiveness can vary widely from one RO system to the next, even when they appear similar on the surface.

Introducing AquaTru®: Your Answer to Clean, Delicious Water

If you're ready to enjoy safe, clean drinking water at home, a reverse osmosis system is the obvious solution. And when it comes to quality and proven effectiveness, one system stands head and shoulders above the rest: AquaTru.

AquaTru was the first patented countertop home RO system on the market and remains one of the highest-quality and most trusted reverse osmosis water filtration systems available. It set the standard that others still try to match, and continues to earn awards for its effectiveness in purifying home drinking water. Key awards and accolades include being named the "Best Water Purifier in the 2025 Esquire Gadget Awards" and a "2026 Kitchen Awards" winner by Good Housekeeping."AquaTru has been independently tested and third-party certified to NSF standards. As a result, its filtration has been proven to eliminate 84 contaminants, including:

PFOA-PFOS, the most commonly studied form of PFAS ("forever chemicals")
Microplastics, whose presence in the human body has become increasingly alarming
Lead, often leached from aging pipes and plumbing
Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
Chlorine, which affects both taste and odor
Chromium-6, fluoride, pesticides, arsenic, nitrates … and dozens of other harmful pollutants

Pro-Tip: Use AquaTru-filtered water in your irons, coffee & espresso machines, and wet-mops to help prevent mineral buildup and scaling, which may help them last longer and work better.

The AquaTru long-lasting reverse osmosis filter is designed to perform for up to two full years, requiring less maintenance and hassle than many competing systems. And by replacing bottled water, AquaTru helps households save money. So, in choosing AquaTru, you're making a smart investment that saves money, time, and the planet.It's no surprise that in a recent survey, over 98% of customers said that with AquaTru, they feel like they're doing something good for themselves and their family's health and well-being.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about what may be lurking in your tap water. Start enjoying truly delicious, clean, and safe drinking water today!

Did You Know?You may be able to use your HSA or FSA funds to purchase an AquaTru water purifier.
Check your eligibility HERE.

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What Are Forever Chemicals?