20 Facts About PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Every NJ Homeowner Should Know

PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — have emerged as one of the most significant drinking water concerns in New Jersey over the past decade. They’ve been found in municipal systems, private wells, groundwater near military bases, and waterways across the state. They don’t break down in the environment or in the human body. And New Jersey, with its industrial history, its military installations, and its position as one of the first states in the country to regulate these chemicals, is at the center of the national conversation. Whether your water comes from a municipal system, a private well, or you’re buying a home and trying to understand what you’re getting into, these twenty facts give you a clear, accurate picture of what PFAS are, what they do, and what you can do about them.

1. PFAS Is Not a Single Chemical — It’s a Family of Thousands

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, an umbrella term covering more than 12,000 individual synthetic chemicals that share a common molecular structure: chains of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms. The carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, which is what gives PFAS compounds their remarkable resistance to heat, water, oil, and degradation — and what makes them so persistent in the environment and the human body. The most studied and regulated PFAS compounds are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), but hundreds of other PFAS variants have been detected in water supplies nationwide, many of which are not yet regulated and not yet fully understood in terms of long-term health effects.

2. “Forever Chemicals” Is an Accurate Description

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally in the environment, in soil, in water, or in living organisms. Once released, they persist indefinitely — cycling through groundwater, surface water, soil, and the food chain without degrading. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, virtually all Americans have detectable PFAS in their blood, a consequence of decades of widespread use in consumer products, industrial processes, and firefighting foams. This bioaccumulation — the buildup of PFAS in the body over time — is one of the primary reasons that even low-level chronic exposure is taken seriously by public health authorities, and why the EPA’s maximum contaminant level goals for PFOA and PFOS are set at zero.

3. PFAS Were Used in Hundreds of Everyday Products for Decades

The same properties that make PFAS persistent in the environment made them commercially attractive for a wide range of applications. PFOA was a processing aid in the manufacture of non-stick coatings — Teflon being the most famous example. PFOS was used in fabric and carpet protectors, food packaging, photographic film, and as a component of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used in firefighting. These compounds were manufactured and used at industrial scale from the 1940s through the 2000s, when their persistence and health effects became more widely understood and regulatory pressure began to mount. Many of the original PFAS compounds have been phased out, but replacement chemicals in the same family are still in use and raising similar questions.

4. New Jersey Was One of the First States in the Country to Regulate PFAS in Drinking Water

New Jersey has been at the leading edge of PFAS regulation nationally. The state adopted a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 13 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFNA in 2019 — the first enforceable state drinking water standard for any individual PFAS compound in the United States. PFOA (14 ppt) and PFOS (13 ppt) MCLs followed in 2020, again ahead of any federal standard. These state standards became the baseline against which NJ municipal water systems were required to monitor and report, and they applied legal teeth to a contamination problem that had been documented in NJ water supplies for years without enforceable limits. NJ’s early action on PFAS regulation is a direct reflection of the state’s industrial history and the documented extent of PFAS contamination in its groundwater.

5. The EPA Finalized National PFAS Drinking Water Standards in April 2024

On April 10, 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS — setting legally enforceable MCLs for six PFAS compounds. PFOA and PFOS were each set at 4 ppt, significantly lower than NJ’s existing state standards of 14 and 13 ppt respectively. Additional standards were set for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and mixtures of these compounds. Public water systems have until 2029 — with a potential extension to 2031 under a proposed rulemaking — to achieve compliance with these new federal limits. For NJ municipal water customers, this means many systems currently meeting state standards will need to invest in additional treatment to meet the tighter federal requirements over the next several years.

6. The Safe Level of PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water Is Effectively Zero

While the EPA’s enforceable MCL for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt — a number set based on feasibility and cost as well as health risk — the EPA’s non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for both compounds is zero. An MCLG represents the concentration at which no known or anticipated adverse health effects occur with an adequate margin of safety. A goal of zero means EPA has determined there is no established safe threshold for PFOA and PFOS exposure — any exposure carries some degree of risk. The 4 ppt enforceable limit reflects the practical limits of current treatment technology and economic feasibility, not a determination that water at 4 ppt is safe. This distinction matters for homeowners evaluating whether to add point-of-use treatment even when their water tests below the MCL.

7. PFOA Has Been Classified as a Human Carcinogen

In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as a Group 1 human carcinogen — the same category as tobacco smoke, asbestos, and benzene. PFOS was classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The cancers most consistently associated with PFAS exposure in research studies include kidney cancer and testicular cancer. Studies of workers in PFAS manufacturing facilities — where exposure was highest and most extensively documented — showed elevated rates of both cancers, and subsequent residential exposure studies have reinforced the association. Additional research has linked PFAS exposure to liver cancer, thyroid disease, bladder cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, though the evidence for these associations varies in strength across studies.

8. PFAS Exposure Is Linked to Health Effects Beyond Cancer

Cancer risk is the most prominently discussed health concern associated with PFAS, but it’s not the only one. Research has documented associations between PFAS exposure and immune system suppression — including reduced vaccine effectiveness in children — thyroid hormone disruption, elevated cholesterol levels, liver damage, fertility issues, pregnancy complications including preeclampsia, developmental effects in infants and young children, and ulcerative colitis. The immune system effects are particularly relevant for children, whose developing immune systems may be more vulnerable to PFAS disruption and who may be exposed over longer cumulative lifetimes than adults. For households with infants, young children, or pregnant women, PFAS in drinking water warrants particular attention regardless of whether levels exceed regulatory thresholds.

9. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Is One of the Most Contaminated PFAS Sites in the Country

New Jersey’s military installations are among the most significant documented sources of PFAS contamination in the state. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County has recorded groundwater PFAS concentrations as high as 264,000 ppt in monitoring wells — a level that is orders of magnitude above any drinking water standard and reflects decades of AFFF firefighting foam use during military training exercises. Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton and Earle Naval Weapons Station are additional NJ military sites with documented PFAS contamination plumes. The contamination at these installations has affected nearby private wells and, in some cases, municipal water supplies in surrounding communities. The Department of Defense has acknowledged the contamination and has committed to cleanup, though the pace and scope of remediation efforts have been a point of ongoing contention.

10. PFAS Has Been Detected in Over 500 NJ Water Systems and Sources

Environmental Working Group analysis of EPA data has identified PFAS detections in more than 500 New Jersey water systems and sources — one of the highest state totals in the country. NJ’s contamination footprint reflects both its industrial legacy, with chemical manufacturing concentrated in areas like the Delaware River corridor and the Raritan Valley, and its military installations dispersed across the state. Municipal water systems in communities including Ridgewood, Middlesex, Camden, South Orange, Mahwah, Waldwick, Raritan, and Atlantic City have recorded PFAS levels above state or federal thresholds at various points in recent years. The Ridgewood Water system in Bergen County documented ongoing PFOA MCL violations through the end of 2024, with running annual averages at multiple points of entry ranging between 19 and 35 ppt — well above the federal 4 ppt limit.

11. PFAS Were Added to NJ’s Private Well Testing Act in December 2021

Recognizing that state MCLs for PFAS only applied to public water systems, New Jersey expanded its Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) in December 2021 to require testing for three PFAS compounds — PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA — at every residential real estate transaction involving a private well. This made New Jersey one of the very few states in the country requiring PFAS testing of private wells as a condition of property sale. Since the requirement took effect, the data has been sobering: since 2022, over 12% of PWTA-tested private wells in New Jersey have exceeded a PFAS standard for at least one of the three required compounds. For private well owners and buyers of homes with private wells, this statistic underscores why PFAS testing is not a precautionary nicety but a genuine due diligence necessity. Our guide on private well water testing in NJ covers the full PWTA parameter list and what buyers should test beyond the minimum.

12. Municipal Water Customers Cannot Assume Their System Is PFAS-Free

NJ municipal water systems are required to monitor for PFAS and report results in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), which are published each year and available on the utility’s website or by request. But compliance with reporting requirements does not mean PFAS levels are below concern. A system that reports PFAS at 3 ppt is below the federal MCL of 4 ppt but above the MCLG of zero. A system that is currently in violation — and working toward compliance — may be supplying water with PFAS above the MCL for months or years during the remediation period. Checking your utility’s most recent CCR and any public notices of MCL violations is the baseline step for any NJ municipal water customer who wants to understand their current PFAS exposure. Your utility’s consumer confidence report is available on their website or by calling their customer service line directly.

13. PFAS Travel Easily in Groundwater and Can Affect Wells Far from Contamination Sources

One of the most important characteristics of PFAS for NJ well owners to understand is their mobility in groundwater. PFAS are highly water-soluble and do not bind readily to soil particles, which means they travel efficiently through aquifers — moving with groundwater flow over distances of miles from the original contamination source. A private well located several miles from a military base, industrial site, or landfill that used PFAS-containing materials may still draw from an aquifer plume that originated at that source years or decades earlier. This is why PFAS in private wells cannot be evaluated by proximity to known contamination sites alone — the groundwater pathway is not predictable from surface geography, and testing is the only reliable way to know what’s in a specific well.

14. Standard Water Filters Do Not Remove PFAS

This is one of the most practically important facts for NJ homeowners to understand. Standard pitcher filters, basic faucet-mount carbon filters, and most sediment filters do not effectively remove PFAS from drinking water. The carbon media in a standard Brita-type pitcher filter is not rated for PFAS reduction and should not be relied on for that purpose. Standard activated carbon does reduce some PFAS at low concentrations, but the reduction is incomplete and inconsistent across the range of PFAS compounds. Homeowners who have installed a standard whole-house carbon filter believing it addresses PFAS should verify the filter’s NSF certification specifically for PFAS reduction — many systems that are excellent for chlorine and sediment provide minimal PFAS protection.

15. Two Technologies Are Proven Effective for PFAS Reduction in Residential Water

The two technologies with the strongest evidence base for residential PFAS reduction are reverse osmosis (RO) and granular activated carbon (GAC) — specifically high-capacity activated carbon certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for PFAS reduction or catalytic carbon. Reverse osmosis removes PFAS highly effectively at the point of use — typically an under-sink system serving the kitchen tap — by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks PFAS molecules from passing through. GAC systems, installed at the point of entry to treat the whole house, can achieve significant PFAS reduction when properly sized and maintained, but require regular monitoring of the carbon’s capacity and timely media replacement since PFAS loading eventually exhausts the carbon’s adsorption capacity. For households with documented PFAS concerns, an under-sink RO system for drinking and cooking water is the most reliable point-of-use protection. Our page on reverse osmosis vs. whole house filtration explains how these technologies compare across different NJ water conditions.

16. NSF Certification Is the Standard for Evaluating PFAS Filter Performance

When purchasing any water treatment system marketed for PFAS reduction, look for certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for reverse osmosis systems or NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for activated carbon systems — both of which include specific PFAS reduction protocols in their testing requirements. NSF International independently tests and certifies that products perform as claimed. The NSF standards for PFAS were updated to more stringent levels in 2022, so when evaluating existing equipment, it’s worth confirming the certification is current. Products that claim PFAS reduction without NSF certification have not been independently verified and should be treated with skepticism. Our water purification service page and water filtration service page cover the systems we install and their applicable certifications.

17. PFAS Testing of Your Water Is the Only Way to Know Your Actual Exposure

General knowledge that PFAS has been detected in NJ water supplies tells you that the risk is real and geographically widespread. It does not tell you what’s in your specific water. For municipal water customers, checking the most recent consumer confidence report and any current violation notices provides the best available picture of utility-level PFAS concentrations — but these reports reflect system-wide averages, and conditions at your specific tap may vary. For private well owners, PFAS testing through an NJDEP-certified laboratory is the only way to know your well’s actual PFAS levels. If you’re buying a home with a private well, the PWTA now requires PFAS testing — but the three compounds required (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA) represent a fraction of the more than 12,000 PFAS compounds that exist, and a broader panel may be warranted depending on proximity to known contamination sources. Our water testing service can help identify the right panel for your location and circumstances.

18. NJ Has Filed Aggressive Legal Action Against PFAS Manufacturers

New Jersey has been one of the most aggressive states in pursuing legal accountability for PFAS contamination. The state has filed lawsuits against major PFAS manufacturers including 3M and DuPont, alleging they knew their products were harmful and failed to disclose the risks while contaminating NJ’s groundwater and water supplies. These legal actions are part of a broader wave of litigation that has resulted in multi-billion dollar settlements nationally — with funds directed in part toward water system remediation and treatment infrastructure. NJ’s leadership on PFAS litigation reflects both the severity of the state’s contamination problem and the strength of its regulatory framework. For NJ homeowners, these legal developments are relevant context for understanding why PFAS became a PWTA requirement, why utilities are under pressure to install treatment, and why the regulatory landscape is likely to continue tightening regardless of federal-level policy fluctuations.

19. Home Buyers Should Treat PFAS as a Standard Due Diligence Item in NJ

For buyers purchasing homes in New Jersey — whether on municipal water or a private well — PFAS due diligence is no longer optional. On a private well, the PWTA requires testing for three PFAS compounds, and buyers should understand those results before signing off at closing. On municipal water, buyers should pull the most recent consumer confidence report for the utility serving the property and check for any outstanding violation notices. In communities near military bases, industrial corridors, or in the Raritan Valley and Delaware River watershed areas with documented PFAS histories, an independent point-of-use RO system is a straightforward protective measure that any buyer can factor into their first-year budget. Our guide on water quality due diligence for NJ home buyers covers the full checklist of what to evaluate before closing, including PFAS alongside radon, hard water, iron, and well system condition.

20. PFAS Is a Solvable Problem at the Point of Use — Even If the Source Contamination Isn’t

The presence of PFAS in NJ’s groundwater and surface water reflects decades of industrial and military use that cannot be undone quickly — cleanup of contaminated aquifers is measured in years and decades, not months. But the contamination of a water source does not mean a homeowner is without options. A properly specified and maintained reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap reliably reduces PFAS to the lowest achievable levels for drinking and cooking water. A whole-house activated carbon system sized and certified for PFAS reduction addresses exposure through showering and other household uses. These are not temporary stopgaps — they are durable, well-understood treatment technologies that work while the larger remediation picture plays out. Jersey Radon’s licensed water treatment team serves NJ homeowners and home buyers across the state, starting every evaluation with a water test and finishing with a treatment recommendation built around what your specific water actually contains.

• Check your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report annually — look specifically for PFAS results and any violation notices
• Private well owners: ensure your most recent PWTA test included PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA — required since December 2021
• Homes near military bases, airports, or industrial sites in NJ warrant a broader PFAS panel beyond the PWTA minimum
• Standard pitcher and faucet filters are not rated for PFAS — verify NSF/ANSI 58 or 53 certification before relying on any filter for PFAS reduction
• Under-sink reverse osmosis is the most reliable point-of-use PFAS reduction technology for drinking and cooking water
• If buying a home in NJ, treat PFAS as a standard due diligence item alongside radon, hard water, and well system condition

Understanding Your NJ Home’s PFAS Risk

PFAS contamination in New Jersey is real, widespread, and consequential — but it’s also a problem with practical, proven solutions at the household level. Jersey Radon’s licensed water treatment team works with NJ homeowners and home buyers to evaluate PFAS risk, interpret test results, and recommend the right treatment approach for each home’s water chemistry and location. We serve all of New Jersey and bring the same test-first, explain-clearly approach to PFAS that we apply to every water quality concern we address.

If you want to know whether PFAS is a concern in your home’s water — or if you already have results and want to understand what they mean and what to do about them — contact us for a free estimate or call us at (732) 357-1988. We’re available any time and serve homeowners throughout New Jersey.