What are PFAS and PFOS?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to soil and water. ( Per- and polyfluoroalkyl ). PFOS is part of this class of chemicals. They are highly toxic and carcinogenic.

Effective Filtration
The EPA has advised that to effectively remove PFOS and PFAS from drinking water use a NSF 53 (USA) Standard certified water filter. In Australia the equivalent standard is AS/NZ 4348 standard.

Did You Know?
Less than 5% of all filters sold in Australia are AS/NZ 4348 certified. To verify, visit the ACBC website and search the product listing.

Snapseal Fluroguard
Fluroguard is a multi media filter, impregnated with both carbon and resin media – and is ASNZ 4348 certified.

By now, you may have read or heard in news bulletins about the presence of traces of PFAS in Sydney’s drinking water. [VIEW THE STORY AT SMH]

These substances are carcinogenic. PFAS are found in liquids, and we know PFAS better as PFOS when in solid form. It’s used in non-stick pans and is dangerous when it breaks off and enters the bloodstream.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA has found that high-grade carbon is effective in reducing PFAS in drinking water by 73%. High-grade carbon contains far more surface area than standard carbon, and this greater surface area can remove PFAS more effectively than standard carbon blocks.

The effective reduction of PFAS requires maximum contact time between the carcinogen and fresh filter media. This is critical. PFAS requires either reverse osmosis or a high-grade carbon block for effective removal. Our Snapseal Stage 2 carbon block and Snapseal Fluoriguard carbon block filters remove PFAS and are certified to 0.5 microns.

We strongly recommend any customer living within the Sydney catchment area who is concerned about reducing PFAS and whose current filter cartridges have been in service for over 9 months to now discard them and install fresh replacements. This timeline accords with the anticipated available surface area remaining on the carbon block that can effectively absorb any PFAS. Fresh cartridges will ensure maximum surface area and maximum contact time between incoming water and product water. Once the current PFAS threat has ended, you can return to your usual filter replacement cycle.

It’s imperative that your system’s filters are working to maximum efficiency to combat PFAS. Please ensure all water consumed, including water used for beverages and cooking, has been processed through your water filter.

Our strong recommendation is that the block now be changed every 12 months while the threat of PFAS remains in Sydney’s tap water.