Why Distillers Are a Mom’s Best Friend for PFAS-Free Water
Drinking water is often the largest source of PFAS in our homes.
As a mom on a mission to keep my family safe and my kitchen science-savvy: water distillers are heroes when it comes to tackling forever chemicals—PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) lurking in our drinking water. Independent lab tests and solid science show that distillation can kick out over 99.9% of PFAS, including the troublemakers PFOA and PFOS.
So, what’s the magic? It’s all about boiling points. PFAS have way higher boiling points than water, so when you boil your tap water, these stubborn chemicals refuse to join the steam party. They hang back in the boiling chamber while only pure, clean steam rises, cools down, and gives you pfas free water. For a deep dive on this, check out this comprehensive guide on removing PFAS from drinking water.
Distillation Demystified: The Science Made Simple
Let’s break down the process:
- Heat up the water until it boils—hello steam!
- PFAS have higher boiling points, so they stick around in the boiling tank instead of evaporating.
- The steam you see turns back into liquid water—now free of those nasty forever chemicals.
- Some high-tech distillers add a carbon post-filter as a final bouncer to catch any sneaky volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including those rare PFAS that might try to sneak through.
Bottom line? The water you pour is clean and pure—no forever chemicals allowed. Curious about the nitty-gritty? This article explains distillation’s effectiveness against PFAS with all the scientific goodness.
PFAS Removal Showdown: Distillation vs. Other Methods
| Method | PFAS Removal Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Distillation | >99.9% | Nearly wipes out all PFAS varieties—mom-approved for pure hydration |
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | High | Great overall, but watch out—some short-chain PFAS can slip past. More details here |
| Activated Carbon | Moderate | Works on some but not all PFAS—better than nothing! |
| Boiling | Ineffective | Heads up! Boiling can actually concentrate PFAS—not our friend here |
| Water Softeners | Ineffective | Designed for minerals, not forever chemicals |
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Distiller
- Minerals Go Missing: Distillation strips out everything—including good-for-you minerals like calcium and magnesium. You might want to remineralize your water or load up on mineral-rich foods.
- Energy Use Counts: Boiling water takes more electricity than most filters, so if you’re eco-conscious like me, that’s something to weigh.
- Some PFAS Are Tricky: With thousands of PFAS types out there, a few can have lower boiling points close to water’s. That’s where a carbon post-filter really shines to catch those stragglers.
Drinking Water Without Microplastics: Why Distillers Still Rock
Besides being champs at removing forever chemicals, distillers also give you peace of mind by providing water without microplastics—a growing concern these days. For families like ours who want nothing less than clean, safe hydration straight from the tap (or rather, from the distiller), this is a win-win.
For more on how distillation stacks up against other contaminants like microplastics, check out this insightful article.
Final Sip: Why Distilled Water Is Worth It
Over 99.9% removal of PFAS means you’re serving your family water that’s genuinely pfas free water and free of harmful microplastics too. Add a carbon post-filter to your setup, and you’re basically inviting only the good stuff to your glass.