You grow your own vegetables. Keep chickens in the garden. Maybe even bake from scratch. It’s a lifestyle built on health and sustainability. But recent reports out of the Netherlands are casting a shadow over this effort. Home-raised eggs—once considered a wholesome staple—have now been found to contain high levels of PFAS, the so-called 'forever chemicals'.
From your coop to your tap: the widespread reach of PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in everyday products like waterproof jackets, food packaging, and non-stick cookware. The issue? These substances do not break down in nature. They linger in our soil, our water—and increasingly, in our food.
An investigation by the RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) showed elevated PFAS levels in home-raised eggs across over half the sites tested. In some areas, consuming even a single egg per week could push adults over the recommended limit for PFAS intake.
But it’s not just eggs. The same studies point to PFAS in drinking water, adding to the total chemical load in our bodies. And while PFAS levels in tap water typically fall within official safety guidelines, the combined exposure from water and food can exceed limits set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Moreover, separate research conducted by the Pesticide Action Network Europe has identified alarmingly high levels of PFAS—specifically trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)—in European wines, particularly vintages produced after 2010. This further underscores the widespread and increasing contamination of food and beverages.
The real cost of PFAS exposure
We cannot overstate the potential health risks posed by PFAS. These chemicals persist in the body and are linked to a range of serious health concerns:
- Cancer: PFAS exposure has been associated with increased risk of kidney, testicular, and possibly breast cancer.
- Fertility and developmental effects: PFAS may impair fertility and contribute to low birth weights and developmental delays.
- Immune system effects: these chemicals can weaken the body’s defence against infections and diminish vaccine effectiveness.
- Thyroid and liver disruption: PFAS can affect hormone levels and have been connected to liver issues in both animal and human studies.
- Other concerns: studies have noted higher cholesterol levels, blood pressure complications during pregnancy, and metabolic changes linked to PFAS exposure.
What Europe is doing—and why it’s not enough yet
As public concern grows, so does regulatory action. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is evaluating a continent-wide restriction on PFAS to reduce exposure and phase out unnecessary uses. Meanwhile, local governments, including in the Netherlands, are issuing new safety advisories. The RIVM, for example, now recommends avoiding eggs from hobby chickens in certain areas.
Despite these efforts, PFAS remain hard to remove from the environment. It will take time—and in the meantime, households must consider what they can do now.
What about the water you drink every day?
RIVM continues to state that tap water remains safe to drink. However, it also acknowledges that cumulative PFAS exposure—especially through diet and long-term water consumption—can pose a health risk. Boiling water does not eliminate PFAS. And while bottled water may contain less, it’s neither practical nor sustainable long-term.
PFAS concentrations are often higher in water sourced from rivers and lakes, compared to groundwater. That’s because surface water is more exposed to PFAS-contaminated runoff from industrial sites and consumer products. Even groundwater, although typically safer, isn’t immune.
AquaTru: filtering out PFAS with proven results
If you’re concerned about PFAS in your tap water, there is a reliable option. AquaTru’s 4-stage Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration system has been independently tested and certified to remove up to 99% of a wide range of harmful substances—including PFAS.
- Advanced filtration: effectively reduces PFAS, pharmaceuticals, lead, fluoride, microplastics, and more.
- Certified by IAPMO: meets NSF/ANSI standards for water filtration performance.
- Sustainable choice: reduces dependence on bottled water and lowers plastic waste.
The AquaTru advantage: transparency in every drop
AquaTru doesn’t just promise results—we show them. Our performance data sheets clearly outline reduction rates for key contaminants:
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): reduces TDS by up to 97%, resulting in clearer, fresher-tasting water.
- Microplastics: eliminates more than 96% of particles as small as 0.5 microns, protecting you from pollutants you can’t see.
- pH balance: maintains optimal drinking water pH, ensuring it stays both safe and pleasant to consume.
With PFAS grabbing headlines across Europe, taking steps to safeguard your drinking water has never been more important.
Download our performance data sheet to see how AquaTru compares. Then make the switch to better water—because clean should mean truly clean.
