PFAS And Water Quality: What We Know About Forever Chemicals

As public awareness of “forever chemicals” grows, so too does concern over the widespread presence of PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—in our water, soil, food, and even our bodies. These synthetic compounds, used in thousands of consumer and industrial products since the 1940s, are alarmingly persistent in the environment and have been linked to a host of health issues including cancer, reproductive disorders, childhood immunity concerns, and hormonal disruptions. Today, PFAS chemicals can be found almost everywhere—including in the blood of nearly every American, from babies to the elderly.

Despite decades of use, much remains unknown about the long-term impact of PFAS and how to effectively detect and eliminate them. The EPA has taken recent steps to regulate key chemicals like PFOS and PFOA, launching a PFAS Strategic Roadmap and proposing new drinking water regulations, but challenges remain in monitoring and remediation.

Enter KETOS, a company working to close that gap with cutting-edge water monitoring solutions. While KETOS already tracks over 30 contaminants in real time—including heavy metals—the company is actively exploring the addition of PFAS to its detection suite. With its intelligent, remote-capable platform, KETOS aims to equip utilities and communities with the tools needed to understand and respond to PFAS threats swiftly and accurately—paving the way for safer water and a more informed future.