PFAS -- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances -- are a class of synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment or in your body. The EPA has set enforceable limits for six PFAS compounds in drinking water, but most bottled water brands have never publicly tested for them.
What are PFAS
PFAS are used in nonstick coatings, waterproof fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foam. They leach into groundwater and persist indefinitely. The scientific literature links PFAS exposure to thyroid disruption, immune suppression, liver damage, and increased cancer risk.
There are over 12,000 known PFAS compounds. Current EPA regulations cover six. Most labs test for 18-29 of the most common ones.
What we tested
Our COA data includes PFAS testing using EPA Method 537.1, which screens for up to 29 PFAS compounds. For each brand where PFAS data is available, we report every compound tested and whether it was detected.
Brands with PFAS testing
Not every brand has been tested for PFAS. Among those that have:
- Hallstein: all PFAS compounds ND (not detected)
- Panama Blue: all PFAS compounds ND
- Aqua Carpatica: all PFAS compounds ND
- Icelandic Glacial: all PFAS compounds ND
Brands like Fiji, Smartwater, and Voss have not published PFAS testing results. Absence of testing is not the same as absence of contamination.
How to read PFAS results
On our platform, the PFAS panel shows each compound tested with its result. "ND" means the compound was below the lab's detection limit -- typically 0.002 ug/L or lower. Any detected value is compared against the EPA's maximum contaminant level where one exists.
The EPA's current limits for PFOA and PFOS are 4 parts per trillion. For context, that's roughly equivalent to four drops of water in an Olympic swimming pool.
What this means for you
If PFAS avoidance matters to you, choose brands that have been independently tested and published results. A "natural" or "spring" label tells you nothing about PFAS content. Only lab data does.