A total of 17 Aquasana, Inc. drinking water filters are the first products to earn certification to reduce perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to below the health advisory levels set by the EPA.

PFOA and PFOS are fluorinated organic chemicals that are part of a larger group of chemicals referred to as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).  Exposure to PFOA and PFOS over certain levels may result in adverse health effects, including developmental effects to fetuses or to breastfed infants, cancer, liver damage, immune disorders, thyroid disorders and other adverse effects.

In May 2016, the EPA established health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at 70 parts per trillion.

NSF International developed the PFOA and PFOS test protocol at the request of regulatory agencies and manufacturers. Water treatment are designed to provide an additional barrier of protection against these chemicals and to supplement the treatment of drinking water.