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PFAS in drinking water – what you need to know about the forever chemicals

PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals, are currently one of Sweden's biggest environmental and health problems. With the new stringent limit values coming into force on January 1, 2026, it is more important than ever to know what is in your drinking water. In December 2025, just weeks before the binding limit values of 4 ng/L for PFAS-4 and 100 ng/L for PFAS-21 come into effect, reports from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and the Swedish Food Agency show that https://svensktvattenprov.se/pages/brunnsvattenstatistik – often at low but measurable levels.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals that do not break down in nature. They accumulate in the environment, in animals, and in the human body, making them a long-term threat to both health and ecosystems. Exposure occurs daily through drinking water, food, air, and everyday products. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable because PFAS can pass to the fetus and breast milk. Although acute risks are low at current levels, research warns of serious long-term effects from chronic exposure.

A family of chemicals that are everywhere

PFAS are a family of chemicals with unique properties that have made them extremely useful in industry: they repel water, grease, dirt, and heat. They have been used since the 1950s in thousands of products, but their extremely long degradation time – thousands of years – makes them what scientists call "forever chemicals". Once released, they never disappear, but circulate in the environment and accumulate in living organisms.

We encounter PFAS daily in more products than most people think. Non-stick coatings in pots and pans, such as Teflon, contain PFAS. Waterproof and dirt-repellent clothing, shoes, and impregnating sprays – for example, products marked with Gore-Tex – are other common sources. Food packaging such as pizza and fast-food boxes, microwave popcorn bags, and baking paper have often been treated with PFAS to repel grease. Even cosmetics, make-up, skin creams, and dental floss can contain these substances.

One of the largest and most well-known sources of PFAS spread in Sweden is fire-fighting foam, especially AFFF foam used at airports, fire drills, and military areas. When this foam is used, PFAS seeps into the ground and eventually reaches the groundwater. Cleaning products, floor polish, and even ski wax can also contain PFAS. This spread has meant that the chemicals are now found almost everywhere in the Swedish environment.

What research shows about health risks

According to the Swedish Food Agency and international studies, including EFSA and Swedish research programs such as the Ronneby PFAS Research Program, long-term exposure to PFAS is linked to a range of serious health problems. The Ronneby study, which followed residents in an area where drinking water was heavily contaminated, has confirmed an increased risk of cancer, especially kidney and testicular cancer. The study also shows impaired immune function and reduced effectiveness of vaccines, especially in children exposed early in life.

Fertility problems, hormonal disruptions, and lower birth weight in children of exposed mothers are other documented effects. Elevated cholesterol levels and effects on liver and thyroid function have also been linked to PFAS exposure. One of the most worrying findings is developmental damage in fetuses and children. A new study from Örebro University published in 2025 shows changes in brain structure in children exposed to PFAS during fetal development. This raises serious questions about long-term consequences for cognitive development and behavior.

New studies from 2025 also show that certain medications, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, can accelerate the excretion of PFAS from the body. This is a discovery that could be significant for future treatment strategies, but it is important to emphasize that there are no acute risks at the levels usually measured in Swedish drinking water. It is the long-term accumulation over decades that is the growing concern.

How PFAS behave in the body

PFAS bind to blood proteins and are stored primarily in blood, liver, and kidneys. Unlike many other environmental toxins, they are not broken down by the body's natural processes. Instead, they accumulate over time because excretion is very slow. Some PFAS compounds have a half-life in the human body of several years, meaning it takes decades for the body to get rid of them even if exposure ceases.

Particularly problematic is that PFAS can cross the placenta and are present in breast milk. This means that exposure begins even before the child is born and continues during the breastfeeding period. Children exposed early in life not only have a longer period ahead of them where PFAS can affect health, but their developing organs are also more sensitive to disturbances. This makes children and pregnant women the most vulnerable groups when it comes to PFAS exposure.

Practical measures to reduce exposure

Although PFAS are found almost everywhere, it is possible to reduce your exposure through conscious choices. Find an analysis package that suits you., especially if you have your own well or live in an area where PFAS contamination is known. By knowing what levels are in your drinking water, you can make an informed choice about possible measures.

If you detect elevated levels, a water filter certified for PFAS filtration can be an effective solution. However, note that not all water filters remove PFAS – specific technology is required, often based on activated carbon or reverse osmosis. In addition, you should try to avoid using products with PFAS as much as possible. Opt out of impregnating spray unless absolutely necessary, avoid non-stick pans if possible, and be careful with fast-food packaging and other food served in PFAS-treated materials.

It is also important to be aware of risk sources in your environment. Do you live near an airport, fire training ground, industrial area, or military area? Then the risk of PFAS in groundwater may be elevated. In such cases, regular testing is particularly important.

Knowledge provides control

Knowledge is the best protection against PFAS. An accredited water test shows exact levels and compares them against the Swedish Food Agency's new limit values that will come into force in 2026. With a professional PFAS test, you get a simple sampling kit with bottles and prepaid shipping, analysis at a certified laboratory, a detailed report and personal advice, as well as a quick response – often within a few weeks.

Regular testing is especially important for those with their own well, but is actually recommended for anyone who wants full control over their drinking water. Given that 90–95 percent of all tap water samples in Sweden contain measurable levels of PFAS, it is no longer a question of whether the chemicals are present – but rather at what levels, and whether these levels are within safe limits.

PFAS is a serious environmental and health problem that affects most Swedish households. With the new strict limit values from January 1, 2026, it will be crucial to know the level of PFAS in your drinking water. By testing your water, you take control of the situation and can take action if needed. At svensktvattenprov.se, fast, safe and reliable water tests are offered with professional advice and accredited analysis – so that you and your family can feel confident about the water you drink every day.

Find an analysis package that suits you. Click here.