PFAS forever chemicals: explanation (2026)

Published on July 12, 2026 | Reading time: ~12 minutes

You hear the term more and more in the news: PFAS forever chemicals. But what exactly are they, why are scientists and water companies concerned about them, and are they also in the water from your tap? In this explanation, we answer these questions clearly and without fear-mongering, with concrete figures and reliable sources such as the RIVM and Vewin.

At PureFilter, we see that customers mainly want to know how bad it is and what they can do about it themselves. That is why we not only explain what PFAS are, but also how you can easily reduce the amount in your drinking water.

1. What exactly are PFAS?

That strong carbon-fluorine bond gives PFAS their useful properties: they are water, grease and dirt repellent and resistant to high temperatures. That is precisely why they have been used in thousands of products since the 1950s. The problem is that the same bond makes them almost indestructible.

PFAS are not natural substances. They do not occur anywhere in nature and are entirely man-made. This also means that nature has no mechanism to break them down, and that is the core of the problem.

2. Why are PFAS called "forever chemicals"?

The nickname "forever chemicals" is not a marketing term but an apt description. PFAS do not break down in nature, not in the sewer system and not in your body. Where an ordinary substance breaks down in weeks or years, PFAS can remain in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years.

Two properties make them so persistent:

• They hardly break down: sunlight, bacteria and water have little effect on the carbon-fluorine bond. Once in the groundwater, PFAS effectively remain there forever.
• They accumulate: because they do not break down, PFAS slowly accumulate in soil, water, animals and humans. This way, you ingest a small amount every day via food and drinking water that your body slowly gets rid of again.

Research shows that almost everyone on earth has measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood. This is also the case in the Netherlands, which indicates how widespread these forever chemicals have become.

3. Where do PFAS come from?

PFAS are found in a surprisingly large number of everyday products and processes. Because they repel water and grease, they have been widely used for seventy years. The main sources are:

• Non-stick coatings: the coating in frying pans was long based on PFAS.
• Water-repellent textiles: raincoats, outdoor clothing and impregnation sprays for shoes.
• Food packaging: grease-resistant layers in pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags and fast food packaging.
• Firefighting foam: firefighting foam used at airports and during fire department exercises was a major source for years, including around Schiphol.
• Industry: factories that produce fluorochemicals, such as around Dordrecht, have introduced PFAS into soil and water.
• Cosmetics and lubricants: from waterproof mascara to technical coatings.

From these sources, PFAS enter the air, soil and surface water. Rain washes them into rivers and groundwater, precisely the sources from which drinking water companies make our tap water. This closes the circle and forever chemicals eventually end up in our drinking water.

4. Are PFAS in Dutch tap water?

Yes, traces of PFAS are found in almost every glass of Dutch tap water. This sounds alarming, but it concerns very small quantities, usually well below the legal standard. Dutch tap water is among the cleanest in the world and meets all legal requirements, according to Vewin and the drinking water companies.

Since 2024, a standard for PFAS in drinking water applies throughout the European Union. The most important limit value is 100 nanograms per litre (0.1 microgram per litre) for the sum of a group of twenty PFAS compounds. All Dutch drinking water companies must comply with this by the end of 2026 at the latest.

The concentration does differ per region. The source from which your water is made is decisive:

• Surface water: in the West of the Netherlands, drinking water is often made from river and surface water. PFAS values are usually slightly higher there.
• Groundwater: in the East and South, water often comes from deep groundwater layers, which are better protected against recent pollution.
• Hotspots: around known sources such as the Western Scheldt, parts of Zeeland and the vicinity of the fluorine industry, the measured values are higher than average.

It is important to emphasize: the tap water is safe to drink. Nevertheless, more and more people choose to further reduce PFAS exposure through drinking water, especially since we already ingest PFAS through food. You can read more about this topic in our extensive guide on filtering PFAS in tap water.

5. What are the health risks of PFAS?

Because PFAS accumulate in the body, long-term exposure to higher concentrations can cause health effects. The RIVM and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) mention the following effects, among others:

• Immune system: PFAS can reduce the functioning of the immune system, for example a weaker response to vaccinations.
• Cholesterol: an increased cholesterol level in the blood is associated with PFAS.
• Liver: effects on liver function have been observed in research.
• Certain types of cancer: long-term, high exposure is linked to kidney and testicular cancer.
• Pregnancy: possible effects on birth weight and development are being investigated.

The EFSA applies a health-based limit value of 4.4 nanograms per kilogram body weight per week for the sum of four important PFAS. The RIVM warns that many people in the Netherlands already ingest more PFAS than this limit value through food and drinking water combined. This does not mean that you will get sick immediately, but it does mean that it is wise to limit unnecessary exposure where possible.

6. Points of attention and nuance

With a topic like PFAS, nuance is important. A few things to keep in mind:

• No reason to panic: Dutch tap water is safe and meets the standards. It's about reducing long-term exposure, not an acute danger.
• Food is also a source: part of your PFAS intake comes from fish, meat, eggs and vegetables. A water filter only tackles the part from drinking water, but that is the part you can influence most easily yourself.
• Not every filter works: an ordinary filter jug or a simple sieve does not reliably remove PFAS. You need a filter with activated carbon or reverse osmosis.
• Choose proven technology: look for independent certifications such as NSF, so you can be sure that a filter does what it promises.

7. How to remove PFAS from tap water?

Lowering the amount of PFAS in your drinking water is easier than many people think. Three methods are proven effective against PFAS:

Activated carbon filter (inline or under-sink)

Activated carbon binds PFAS molecules to the surface of the carbon material. A good carbon block filter such as the PureFilter Mineral+ removes a large part of the PFAS and more than 100 other contaminants. You connect it under your sink in 5 to 10 minutes and have purified water directly from every tap.

Reverse osmosis

A reverse osmosis system pushes water through a very fine membrane and retains almost all PFAS. Disadvantage: it also removes all beneficial minerals, uses rinse water and is more expensive and larger to install.

Filter jug with carbon

A jug with a carbon cartridge reduces PFAS slightly, but the capacity is limited to approximately 150 to 200 liters per cartridge and performance quickly decreases. Useful as an entry-level, but not a structural solution.

8. Comparison table: how well does each method remove PFAS?

Note a persistent misunderstanding: boiling water does not help against PFAS. Because the substances do not break down at high temperatures, they simply remain in the water and even become slightly more concentrated due to evaporation. Only filtering with the right technology works. You can find more background information on our page water filter PFAS.

9. PureFilter Mineral+: PFAS out, minerals in

The PureFilter Mineral+ is designed to tackle exactly this problem. The filter combines an activated carbon block with Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology. This way, it removes more than 100 contaminants, including PFAS, microplastics, lead, chlorine and medicine residues, and is certified to NSF 42, 53, 61 and 372.

The unique aspect lies in the balance. Where reverse osmosis also removes healthy minerals and makes water taste flat, the PureFilter actually adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium. You drink water that tastes clean and fresh, without the bland taste of demineralized water.

At PureFilter, we see that customers primarily choose convenience: a one-time installation under the sink in 5 to 10 minutes, and then a year of worry-free access to pure water. The cartridge lasts for 15,000 to 20,000 liters, and a replacement filter costs from 49.90 euros. Still unsure about purchasing? Check our frequently asked questions or the comparison on best water filter.

10. Frequently asked questions about PFAS forever chemicals

11. Conclusion

PFAS forever chemicals are a group of more than 10,000 man-made substances that barely break down and accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. They are present in small quantities in almost every glass of Dutch tap water, generally below the legal standard of 100 nanograms per liter. Tap water is safe, but because we already ingest a fair amount of PFAS through food and water combined, more and more people are choosing to reduce their exposure.

The simplest step you can take yourself is to filter your drinking water with proven technology. The PureFilter Mineral+ removes PFAS and over 100 other contaminants, is certified to NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372, and maintains healthy mineral levels through Swedish Mineral Rock™. Installed in 5 to 10 minutes, with a cartridge lasting 15,000 to 20,000 liters.

Want to know more? Visit purefilter.nl