What is meant by the acronym Pfas? It is certainly not the most common one in circulation, even if it is of enormous importance and, especially in some Regions, we find ourselves dealing with it on a daily basis. We are talking about perfluoroalkyl substances (or perfluoroalkyl acids).
It is easy to think that this answer may not be exactly useful. Let’s say then that it is about chemical compoundspresent in large quantities in the production processes of numerous products. Industries are full of Pfas, which boast very useful characteristics: water-repellent and oil-repellent. A great utility that however presents a very high price. Accumulation in the environment (they are very persistent) has led to a groundwater pollution. Simply put, we are seriously at risk of take daily doses of Pfas.
Pfas in drinking water
Altroconsumo conducted aanalysis on the national territoryexamining a total of 38 public fountains scattered around 34 cities from North to South. The site also provides a precise map, so you can locate the specific areas exactly. Here is the list of centers:
- Turin;
- Alexandria;
- Genoa;
- Bergamo;
- Brescia;
- Monza;
- Milan;
- Pavia;
- Cremona;
- Mantua;
- Venice;
- Padua;
- Vicenza;
- Verona;
- Bolzano;
- Trento;
- Trieste;
- Udine;
- Pleasure;
- Bologna;
- Ferrara;
- Florence;
- Perugia;
- Ancona;
- Rome;
- Terni;
- Pescara;
- Naples;
- Bari;
- Reggio Calabria;
- Palermo;
- Catania;
- Cagliari;
- Port Torres.
There is a reason why some cities have two analysis locations. These are in fact the largest urban centers, where Altroconsumo has preferred to support its results with two samples and not just one. It is about Turin, Milan, Rome And Naples.
Specifically, we went to the Search for 30 perfluoroalkyl substances in all samples. These were collected in the period between between June 16 and July 4, 2024. The results? Beyond the complaints of some territories, which are experiencing a real emergency, surprisingly the outcome has been highly positive: Pfas absent in collected water.
Healthy tap water
The report is definitely reassuring, especially considering the fact that Altroconsumo is carrying out a analysis method which is the official oneprovided by law. The published laboratory result, therefore, can leave many people reassured.
In detail, the samples obtained respect the legal limit for drinking water, but not only that. In fact, even lower quantities of Pfas were not detected. The maximum limit allowed by the new law on drinking water is set at 500 nanograms per liter. However, when we talk about Pfas that are particularly harmful to human health, this limit collapses. 100 nanograms per liter.
The detection limit of the method implemented for this research is 5 nanograms per liter. When you go below that threshold, you tend to consider PFAS to be effectively absent: “All water samples brought to the laboratory were found to be below this limit.”
The new law refers to decree no. 18 of February 23, 2023. The latter provides that from March 6, 2023 the official safety parameters will be updated and more stringent than in the past. As regards Pfas, however, the legislation will officially be in force in 2026. This will involve more rigorous chemical and microbiological parameters, starting with a broader list of chemical substances to be searched for.
