PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals developed in the 1950s to resist heat, water, oil, and stains. You'll find them in thousands of everyday products — from food packaging and non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing, cosmetics, and firefighting foam.
What makes PFAS uniquely concerning is their extraordinary persistence. The carbon–fluorine bond at the core of these compounds is among the strongest in chemistry, making PFAS virtually indestructible in nature. Once released into the environment, they travel through groundwater and waterways, accumulate in plants and animals, and slowly build up in human organs such as the liver and kidneys. Scientists call them "forever chemicals" for good reason — they barely break down, ever.
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PFAS in Australian Drinking Water: A Growing Concern
Australia has already experienced several high-profile PFAS contamination cases. Communities including Williamtown (NSW), Oakey (Queensland), and Katherine (Northern Territory) were identified as PFAS-affected areas following decades of firefighting foam use at Defence and aviation sites. Investigations found contamination in groundwater, local ecosystems, and in some cases human blood samples — with drinking water identified as a key exposure pathway.
More recently, the Blue Mountains region in New South Wales has attracted significant attention. Unlike most of Sydney, which relies on the large Warragamba Dam system, the Upper Blue Mountains depends on a series of smaller local dams and creeks — located close to roads, townships, and historical spill sites.
One incident often referenced is a 1992 petrol tanker crash near Medlow Bath, where firefighting foam entered local waterways feeding Upper Mountains dams. Because PFAS barely degrade, researchers believe contamination from that event may still persist more than three decades later. WaterNSW testing between 2020–2022 detected elevated PFAS in Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam, and in 2023 the pipeline between Greaves/Medlow and the Cascades Catchment was closed.
As scientific understanding improves, Australia is currently reviewing its drinking water guidelines and environmental standards to align with evolving international recommendations. Acceptable PFAS limits in water are gradually being reduced as evidence about long-term health risks grows.
What Are the Health Risks of PFAS Exposure?
Health concerns around PFAS largely relate to long-term, cumulative exposure rather than immediate illness. Research has linked elevated PFAS levels to:
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Liver stress and elevated liver enzymes
- Thyroid disorders
- Immune system suppression
- Higher risks of some cancers
- In children, weakened vaccine responses
Cancer research has become a major focus of international PFAS investigations. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PFOA as carcinogenic to humans, while PFOS is considered possibly carcinogenic. Studies in PFAS-affected communities have also observed increased rates of papillary thyroid cancer, particularly in populations exposed to contaminated groundwater over long periods.
One of the challenges with PFAS exposure is that people usually cannot "feel" it. Doctors cannot diagnose PFAS exposure by symptoms alone, but blood tests may reveal warning signs such as elevated cholesterol or liver enzyme levels. If you have lived for years in a known contamination zone or relied on bore water, it may be worth discussing PFAS blood testing with your GP.
“The greatest risk comes from long-term exposure to contaminated drinking water.”
— WaterNSW / NSW Parliament Select Committee on PFAS
A Common Misconception: Does Boiling Water Remove PFAS?
No — and this is important. Boiling water does not destroy or evaporate PFAS. In fact, it can slightly concentrate them, because water evaporates while PFAS remain behind. Effective PFAS management requires specialised filtration technologies, not heat.
What Filtration Technologies Help Reduce PFAS?
Not all household filters are designed to reduce PFAS. Many common jug and fridge filters mainly target taste, odour, and chlorine — they are not engineered for PFAS reduction. The technologies recognised internationally for PFAS reduction include:
- Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) — effective at reducing long-chain PFAS compounds such as PFOS and PFOA
- Ion Exchange Resins — can target a broader range of PFAS, including shorter-chain compounds that carbon alone may miss
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) — can reduce PFAS but wastes significant water and removes beneficial minerals alongside contaminants
It's important to understand that home filtration systems do not destroy PFAS molecules — they separate or trap them in filter media. Destroying PFAS requires highly specialised industrial technologies. The goal of home filtration is reduction, not elimination.
How Mira100 Approaches PFAS Reduction
The Mira100 8L glass water dispenser uses a multi-stage NSF-certified filtration system specifically designed to address a broad range of contaminants, including PFAS reduction:
- Activated carbon — reduces long-chain PFAS (including PFOS and PFOA), chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, and VOCs
- Anion exchange resin — targets short-chain PFAS (including PFHxS) and dissolved contaminants that carbon alone cannot remove
- Mineral media & fine filtration — stabilises water quality and removes particulates including microplastics
The result is cleaner, naturally alkaline water — without plastic contact, without power, and without the mineral stripping associated with reverse osmosis systems.
We make no claim of complete PFAS elimination. Our system is designed to reduce PFAS and a wide range of contaminants to support better everyday drinking water for Australian homes.
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Shop the Mira100 8L Alkaline Water Filter →The Bigger Picture
PFAS awareness is growing rapidly because these chemicals highlight a broader issue facing modern society: the long-term environmental consequences of persistent synthetic compounds. As research evolves, communities worldwide are demanding greater transparency, improved testing, safer water treatment systems, and clearer public health guidance.
The conversation around PFAS is no longer just about chemistry — it is about trust, infrastructure, public health, and how societies respond to emerging contaminants that may remain with us for generations. For Australian households, taking control of your home water filtration is one practical step you can take today.