PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit: Is There any Safe Amount of PFAS in Your Drinking Water?

PFAS Water Contamination Attorney Tracy Paulsen and PFAS Law Firm Rightful Legal is passionate about fighting for those injured by an unseen threat.  Our nation is facing a crisis: contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, leading to dangerous health effects.  PFAS Lawsuit Lawyer Tracy Paulsen is experienced in mass tort litigation and dedicated to obtaining compensation for victims of PFAS drinking water contamination.

In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advised that drinking water should not contain more than 70 parts per trillion (ppt) of two harmful PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, combined.  Although this recommendation wasn’t a rule, it pushed many water systems across the country to take action.

In April 2021, Massachusetts introduced enforceable regulations for PFAS, setting the current maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 parts ppt for six specific PFAS compounds, lower than the EPA’s advisory level at the time.

In March 2023, the EPA took a step further by proposing much stricter rules to limit six PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS, to just 4 ppt each in drinking water. These rules would make the limits enforceable by law.

By 2024, the EPA officially finalized these new rules. They set the limit for PFOA and PFOS at 4 ppt each and introduced a new guideline for mixtures of four other PFAS chemicals (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS), using a Hazard Index of 1.  These stricter standards show just how much our knowledge has rapidly evolved about the dangers of PFAS and highlight the urgent need to keep levels in drinking water to an undetectable level.

To illustrate just how small the of an amount of PFAS the EPA’s new rule sets,

 4 ppt is roughly equal to 4 drops in a volume of water big enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Even with this seemingly undetectable amount, the federal government recently stated that there is NO safe amount of PFAS in drinking water for humans.

The sad truth is that so many people have been drinking PFAS contaminated drinking water for years. These chemicals build up in the human body and are difficult to eradicate even over decades, as they stay in your system. This leads to life-threatening injuries in humans.

If you have been diagnosed with Kidney Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Liver Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, or Ulcerative Colitis caused by PFAS Water Contamination, Call Attorney Paulsen and her team of PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit Lawyers at Rightful Legal to see if you eligible for compensation from the responsible PFAS manufacturers for your harm.

Contact PFAS Drinking Water Contamination Lawyer Tracy Paulsen at Rightful Legal Today by calling at 617-821-5856 or by Sharing Your PFAS Story through our website.

Drinking Water Is the Primary Way People Are Exposed

Drinking water contaminated by PFAS is by far the most common way that people in the United States are exposed to these toxic “forever chemicals.”  No amount of PFAS is safe, in the drinking water supply or in your bloodstream.  Unfortunately, PFAS levels are present in the blood of nearly every American.  For some Massachusetts residents, the PFAS in their blood has reached highly toxic levels and caused serious illnesses like thyroid cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis.

How PFAS Enters the Body and How Long It Stays

PFAS can enter your body in many ways.  You might drink water or eat food that’s been contaminated with PFAS, or even breathe in tiny particles from products treated with these chemicals.  Once PFAS gets into your body, it’s very hard to get rid of.

These chemicals stay in your body for a long time—on average, they have a half-life of 8 years.  That means even after 8 years, only half the PFAS you’ve been exposed to will leave your body.  You can’t sweat PFAS out, and while your body does slowly get rid of them through urine, it takes many years.  For women, a small amount of PFAS can leave the body through menstrual blood, but that still doesn’t remove them quickly.

If you’re a woman who breastfeeds, PFAS can pass from your body to your baby through your breastmilk.  This means the chemicals that stay in your body for years could also start building up in your newborn child.

Even blood or plasma donations can spread PFAS.  If your blood has high levels of these chemicals, donating means someone else might receive a harmful dose of PFAS along with the life-saving blood they need.  It’s one more way PFAS can quietly pass from one person to another.

PFAS exposure is a serious issue because these chemicals can build up in the body over time, affecting your health and potentially passing on to others.  The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and reduce exposure wherever possible.

If you or a loved one suffers from Cancer or Ulcerative Colitis that may be linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water, call PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit Attorney Tracy Paulsen of Rightful Legal at 617-821-5856 today or visit us online.

What Does PFAS Do to Your Health?

PFAS can harm your health in many ways, starting at the cellular level.  Once PFAS enters your body, it binds to fatty lipids in your cells.  These lipids are part of your cells’ protective walls—they help control what gets into and out of your cells.  PFAS disrupts this process, sticking to these fatty layers and destroying your cells’ normal balance.

These chemicals also interfere with your hormones, the body’s chemical messengers.  Hormones control important functions like energy, mood, and growth.  When PFAS disrupts your hormones, it can lead to problems like:

• weight gain,
• fatigue, and
• even issues with reproduction. 

Over time, this hormonal imbalance can also raise your risk of

• diabetes,
• heart disease, and
• other chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis.

On a deeper level, PFAS can cause oxidative stress in your body.  This means the chemicals damage your cells and tissues by creating harmful molecules called free radicals.  Oxidative stress has been linked to inflammation, which plays a role in diseases like

• cancer (including liver, kidney, testicular, and thyroid cancer),
• arthritis, and
• autoimmune disorders.

Because PFAS stays in your body for years, these harmful effects can build up over time, even if your exposure seems small.  Protecting your health means understanding these risks and reducing contact with PFAS whenever possible.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by PFAS and diagnosed with

• liver cancer,
• kidney cancer,
• testicular cancer,
• thyroid cancer, or
• ulcerative colitis,

PFAS Contamination Lawyer Tracy Paulsen can help.  Contact PFAS Law Firm Rightful Legal for a Free Consultation by Telling us Your Story at Rightful here or Call or Text Us at 617-821-5856 today.

How Safe Is Bottled Water and is it PFAS-Free?

Many people think bottled water is a safer option to avoid harmful chemicals, but that’s not always true when it comes to forever chemicals like PFAS.  Studies have found PFAS in bottled water.  Sparkling water often has even higher levels than regular bottled water.  This means the very water you’re paying for to stay healthy might be adding dangerous chemicals to your body.

Bottled spring water, often marketed as “natural” and “pure,” is not necessarily a safe option.  In fact, studies show spring water can contain more PFAS than “purified water.”  This is because purified bottled water goes through processes to remove contaminants, including PFAS.  Meanwhile spring water comes straight from the ground, where it may have already been contaminated with these toxic chemicals.

Research shows PFAS can leach into bottled water from the source or even the plastic bottles themselves.  So, choosing the right type of bottled water is important, and not all brands are created equal.  Look for labels that say “purified water” and specifically mention filtration methods like reverse-osmosis that remove PFAS.

Is Filtered Water Safe?

Not all filtered water is safe from PFAS.  Many people use household pitcher filters, like Brita, thinking these filters are removing harmful chemicals, but these filters do not eliminate PFAS.  They’re great for improving taste, but when it comes to PFAS  they are virtually useless.

Some regular water filters, like those attached to faucets or under the sink, can reduce PFAS, but they don’t remove all types.  Only a few specialized filters, like those using reverse osmosis or activated carbon designed specifically for PFAS, can get rid of these dangerous chemicals.  Even then, not all systems are 100% effective, so it’s important to choose carefully.

Don’t assume your water is PFAS-free just because it’s filtered. Always check if your filter is rated to remove PFAS and consider testing your water to be sure. These chemicals are too dangerous to take chances with.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published a list of four household water filters that effectively remove PFAS from water.  These are:

• Travel Berkey Water Filter
• Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology
• Zero Water 7 Cup 5-Stage Ready-Pour Water Filter Pitcher
• Epic Pure Pitcher

Overall, research shows that reverse osmosis, such as that performed by the Travel Berkey Water Filter, is the best way to remove toxic PFAS chemicals from your drinking water and protect yourself from serious illness.

There Is No Treatment That Removes PFAS from Your Body

Once PFAS get into your blood, there’s no way to remove them.  These chemicals can stay in your body for years, slowly building up and causing serious harm over time.  All you can do is limit how much PFAS you’re exposed to in your daily life today.

To reduce your risk,

• Avoid using products made with Teflon or similar non-stick coatings. 
• Don’t wear clothing or gear made with Gore-Tex or other water-resistant materials. 
• Be cautious about drinking water that may be contaminated with PFAS—use a filter designed specifically for these chemicals or choose purified bottled water labeled as PFAS-free.

You should also be aware of high levels of PFAS in certain food and food packaging.  Research shows some foods, like

• teas,
• pork,
• candy,
• sports drinks,
• processed meat,
• butter,
• chips, and
• bottled water

can contain high levels of PFAS and introduce these dangerous chemicals to your digestive system and eventually your entire body. 

Other sources of PFAS in food include:

• greaseproof food wrappers,
• some plastics,
• pesticides, and
• farms where PFAS-tainted sewage sludge is spread as fertilizer.

PFAS isn’t just in water, food, food packaging, and cookware; it’s lurking in everyday items, too.  Many types of makeup, dental floss, stain-resistant furniture, rugs, and water-resistant products are made with PFAS.  These chemicals are used to make products last longer, resist stains, or repel water, but they come at a serious cost to your health.

By carefully checking labels and avoiding these products whenever possible, you can reduce your everyday exposure to PFAS.  You can’t remove the PFAS already in your blood.  You can only take steps to stop adding more of these dangerous chemicals to your body.

If You Have Been Injured, Contact PFAS Law Firm Rightful Legal Today

If you’ve been diagnosed with

• kidney cancer,
• liver cancer,
• thyroid cancer,
• testicular cancer, or
• ulcerative colitis

since 2000 and consumed PFAS-contaminated water for at least six months since 1990, you may qualify to file a claim and pursue significant compensation.

Families who have lost a loved one to these qualifying illnesses may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This includes kidney cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

It’s critical to consult an experienced PFAS Contamination Attorney as soon as possible.  Proving a connection between PFAS exposure and your illness is challenging, as manufacturers responsible for pollution often fight aggressively to avoid accountability. 

PFAS Exposure Attorney Tracy Paulsen and the dedicated team at Rightful Legal are committed to holding PFAS polluters responsible for the harm they’ve caused to innocent individuals and families.  We are passionate about using Tort Law to obtain justice for victims and create a future with PFAS-free water for all.

Acting today is essential due to strict legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations.  These time limits start running out as soon as your injury is discovered.  Because PFAS remain in the body for years, your exposure may have occurred long before your illness was diagnosed.  Even if your drinking water has been cleaned up, you could still be living with the effects of past contamination.

Don’t wait and risk missing your opportunity for justice.  Contact a skilled PFAS Water Contamination Attorney right away to ensure you don’t run out of time.  Tracy Paulsen and her team at Rightful Legal can help you determine the time you have to make a claim and take swift action to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

You can call Rightful Legal at 617-821-5856 or contact our PFAS Water Contamination  Attorneys today.  We are here Fight for Your Rights to Obtain the Justice and Compensation You Deserve.