PFAS, microplastics, lead: what is really in tap water in France
· Elodie Belleudy
PFAS, Microplastics, Lead: What's Really in French Tap Water
We are repeatedly told that French tap water is among the best in the world. This is partly true, but the reality is more nuanced. PFAS, microplastics, lead in pipes: here is what studies really reveal.
PFAS: The Silent Scandal
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemical molecules used in dozens of industries since the 1950s. They are found in non-stick pans, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Their nickname: "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment.
In 2023, a joint investigation by Le Monde and several European media outlets revealed the presence of PFAS in the drinking water of many French municipalities, particularly around industrial areas. ANSES has launched a review of its guideline values, acknowledging that current thresholds are insufficient in light of new scientific data.
ANSES classifies PFAS as substances of concern for human health and recommends reducing exposure as much as possible, including through drinking water.
Microplastics: Everywhere, Even in Water
In 2022, the ANSES confirmed what many studies had already documented: microplastics are present in French tap water. These particles smaller than 5 millimeters come from the degradation of plastics in the environment, but also from the pipes themselves.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology revealed that 93% of the plastic water bottles tested contained microplastics. By drinking bottled water to avoid impurities in tap water, we paradoxically ingest plastic particles released by the container.
- Microplastics present in 93% of the plastic bottles tested
- Presence confirmed in French tap water by ANSES in 2022
- Long-term health effects still being assessed by the WHO
- Only effective portable solution: 0.1 micron membrane filtration
Lead: An Aging Pipe Problem
In 2023, UFC-Que Choisir published an investigation documenting the presence of lead in the tap water of several major French cities. The main cause: lead pipes installed before the 1950s, still present in many old buildings in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.
Chlorine and Its Byproducts
Chlorination is the standard drinking water treatment in France. It is effective against bacteria, but it generates byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs), including chloroform, classified by the IARC as possible carcinogens with high exposure.
This is what explains the characteristic taste of tap water in certain cities. Activated carbon is recognized by the U.S. EPA as one of the most effective methods for removing chlorine and these byproducts from water.
What Can You Do? Practical Steps
The answer is not to panic, but to act pragmatically. Several solutions exist depending on the contaminants targeted:
- Letting the water run for a few seconds before drinking it reduces dissolved lead
- Using a filtered pitcher reduces chlorine and certain heavy metals
- Opt for a triple-action filtered bottle with a 0.1 micron membrane + activated carbon + nano-silver
Filtration at the source remains the most complete solution: it simultaneously removes bacteria, microplastics, heavy metals, PFAS, and chemical compounds in a single step.
The CORE filtered bottle removes PFAS, microplastics, heavy metals, and bacteria in a single sip.
Discover the ALPINEANSES PFAS Assessment in Drinking Water, 2023
Le Monde / PFAS European Investigation 2023
UFC-Que Choisir Lead in Tap Water, 2023
Environmental Science & Technology Microplastics in Water Bottles, 2018
WHO Microplastics in Drinking Water Assessment, 2019
EPA Activated carbon treatment for drinking water
IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards
Written by the DollyStarlight team.