Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
There's not much we can count on in life, but if there's one guarantee, we can bet that our bodies change as we grow older. That's especially true for men as they age. One moment you're partying at the club, waking up refreshed, and hitting the gym. The next moment, getting out of bed is a chore. You're sore in places you never thought before, and hangovers don't just go away after a hot shower and a big breakfast.
And while sore joints and backaches can be treated with aspirin and ice, other signs of aging aren't as easy to treat. Of course, we're talking about challenges in getting and maintaining erections needed to satisfy your partner. At the extreme, we all know it as erectile dysfunction or ED for short but long before full ED, there are warning signs that things aren't working as they used to work. Hearing the ED word sends shivers down most men's spines. When you think about it, that makes sense - being unable to perform when you need to most is a scary thought.
If you're beginning to suffer from ED or male performance issues or you've been dealing with performance issues for some time, it may seem like nobody has any solutions or even really understands how these issues can impact your life and sense of well-being. However, ED of varying degrees is very common. More than 18 million men suffer from the condition in the U.S. Unfortunately, many of those men hide their performance issues without ever addressing them. If you're one of those men, and it feels like you're stuck in a rut with no help, we're here to tell you you're not alone. Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC is here to provide you with a long-lasting solution to help you regain confidence and perform like you used to.
Additionally, many men including the so-called "bio hackers" are using our treatments to PREVENT the performance decline in the first place. Why wait for the inevitable when you can implement strategies to prevent the decline in the first place.

The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
Our programs are all about reversing and slowing the aging process, preventing disease, and treating chronically ill patients. We utilize a three-pronged approach:
- 1. We equip patients with the knowledge required to take charge of their health and achieve optimal well-being.
- 2. We focus on disease prevention by providing a thorough evaluation using comprehensive diagnostics including the patient-supplied information.
- 3. We work with patients to implement a rejuvenation program consisting of various science-based treatments that reduce cellular degeneration, promote tissue regeneration and healing, and slow down the aging process.
We consider every individual as physiologically unique. As such, we don't subscribe to a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Instead, our programs focus on a customized approach, leveraging genetics and advanced testing, utilizing advanced therapeutics like Gainswave and addressing risk factors that, if avoided or modified, could have beneficial effects for reducing many chronic conditions that men suffer from year-round.
Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health. For men whoare just starting to have challenges, or who have erectile dysfunction, or for the biohackers that just want everything optimized, one of those proven therapies is GAINSWave therapy in Annadale, VA
Our Services
- Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
- The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
- What is GAINSWave Therapy?
- What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Annadale, VA Work?
- Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
- Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
Service Areas
What is GAINSWave Therapy?
If you have ED or even a minor decline in sexual performance, there's a good chance you've already seen your primary care doctor. You've talked to them about the issues you're facing. And, if they're like many doctors, they prescribed you some pills and sent you on your way. Unfortunately, going this route doesn't do much to solve erectile dysfunction - you're just putting a band-aid on the problem. Plus, you're putting strange chemicals in your body via a "little blue pill" that may cause adverse side effects.
At the end of the day, you need a real-deal solution to ED, not a quick fix. The good news? A safe, non-invasive, injection-free answer to your problems exists. It's called GAINSWave therapy, and according to recent studies, it has shown an 85-92% success rate for mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.
Reports from men who have used GAINSWave therapy in Annadale, VA report the following benefits:
- Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections
- Improved Sexual Pleasure
- More Blood Circulation and Flow
- Better Girth and Length
- Less Rest Needed Between Orgasms
- Enhanced Intimacy in the Bedroom

Unlike many ED treatments, you don't have to worry about surgery or drugs when you choose GAINSWave. This revolutionary treatment uses acoustic wave technology, also called pulse wave therapy, instead of surgery or pills, which helps to rebuild blood flow to the penile region, thereby boostings erectile strength and, by proxy, confidence.
But the benefits of GAINSWave don't end there. This therapy also breaks up micro plaques and boosts nitric oxide, which forms new blood vessels and collagen. That's exciting news for men suffering from Peyronie's disease, which is another condition specific to male sexual health.
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What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Annadale, VA Work?
With time, men's blood flow decreases, sensitivity isn't what it once was, and blood vessels start to get thinner or even partially or fully blocked. With GAINSWave, high-frequency, low-intensity shockwaves rejuvenate areas of the penis that have suffered with age. For instance, micro plaques are removed, new blood vessels form, and blood flow increases. According to several clinical studies, enhanced blood flow from GAINSWave translates to more sustainable, rigid erections in 75% of men.
Though males in America are only beginning to realize the benefits of GAINSWave, it's a treatment that has been used for over a decade around the world. Backed by science and proven to rejuvenate vasculature in male erections, GAINSWave works without any pain or recovery time. In fact, it's possible to pop into Proactive Wellness Centers on your lunch break for a therapy session.
Proactive Wellness Centers' GAINSWave treatments feature:
- Low-Intensity Pulse or Shockwaves
- All Natural
- No Needles
- No Pills
- No Pain
- No Surgery
- No Recovery Time
- Quick Procedures
Because this procedure is needle, surgery, and drug-free, most men don't have to suffer through costly insurance claims or unsightly scarring. With GAINSWave and our comprehensive and personalized ED treatment plans, all you need to focus on is enjoying life, knowing your erectile dysfunction is a thing of the past.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Gainswave Therapy in Annadale, VA?
If you're a man over the age of 30 and want to optimize your performance or if you are suffering a decline in this area, GAINSWave may be for you. That's even more true if other treatments never worked. For many men, those unsuccessful solutions include pills like Viagra. If prescription pills don't solve your ED problems, GAINSWave is a great option to consider. Academic studies show that shockwave therapy is successful where PDE5 inhibitors (like Viagra or Cialis) fall short.
In fact, many urologists now consider shockwave therapy the greatest revolution in ED treatment in over a decade. Even men without erectile dysfunction use GAINSWave as a preventative therapy to keep their bedroom performance strong and avoid compromised blood vessels.
Some of the key benefits of GAINSWave procedures over other ED treatments include:
- No Drugs
- Backed by Clinical Studies and Extensive Medical Research
- Vast Record of Success
- FDA-Approved for Enhanced Sexual Wellness
- Available at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
What Should I Expect from GAINSWave Therapy at Proactive Wellness Centers?
If you're ready to begin your journey to a healthier, happier sex life, getting started at our wellness clinic is as easy as 1-2-3:
Make an Appointment: Give our office a call at 703-822-5003. One of our Clinical Intake Coordinators will answer any question you have and get you started. If you prefer, you can text "gainswave" to 833.341.0170, and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially.
Prep: Once the intake process is complete, you'll schedule a time for GAINSWave therapy in Annadale, VA. You'll arrive at our wellness center for treatment at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Procedure time is usually no longer than 30 minutes and occurs in our wellness center.
Enjoy the Benefits: Once your GAINSWave therapy session is over, you can get right back to what you were doing beforehand. Studies show that approximately 75% of men enjoy positive results like stronger, longer-lasting erections after treatment. Most men only need 6-12 sessions for optimal results.
Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
As the premier wellness clinic in Virginia and the metro D.C. area, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of treatments to slow the process of aging and treat chronic conditions. Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies, like GAINSWave therapy in Annadale, VA, for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health.
Some of the most requested services we offer include:

Low-T Treatment for Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our Low-T program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause or low testosterone. The Program Testosterone replacement when clinically indicated, optimization of DHEA and Pregenenolone, combined with nutritional guidance, nutritional supplementation recommendations to optimize your health. For men where Testosterone has declined, the Low-T program is a necessary complement to the Gainswave therapy.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include peptides to help patients optimize their health and body composition. If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are likely experiencing low testosterone / andropause and are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of physical agility
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Prostate problems
- Insomnia

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Like men, women's bodies change as they grow older. Often referred to as menopause, this time in a woman's life can be stressful when the body uses energy differently, fat cells change, and hormones decline.
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we've seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that were actually caused by a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Those symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- UTIs
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Indigestion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Anxiety Attacks
- Vaginal Dryness
- Fatigue

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. They are substances with the same chemical makeup as the hormones produced in your body. Hormones are not drugs - they occur naturally and are found in every human on earth. BHRT replaces hormones at a physiologic level that is not harmful to the body.
If you're suffering through the symptoms of menopause, taking Midol isn't going to solve any problems. Fortunately, our BHRT program for women is designed to eliminate many menopausal symptoms. That way, we give women a chance to recapture their energy levels and vitality with drugs or surgery. Contact our office today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you recapture the joys of your youth.
Bredesen-Protocol Strategies for Improving Brain Health
We believe that a healthy brain is paramount to overall well-being. Unfortunately, little is known about promoting brain health, lowering the risk of dementia, or stabilizing symptoms for patients experiencing early signs.
After much research, however, Dr. Lawson from Proactive Wellness Centers determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline.
The approach, created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, is called ReCODE. This protocol involves multiple strategies to pinpoint specific health issues contributing to Alzheimer's Disease. The results of each strategy are measured using blood tests, dementia tests, cognitive evaluations, and other signs of overall health improvement. Now a Bredesen Certified doctor, Dr. Lawson now offers patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Through this exciting approach, patients have shown dramatic improvements in cognitive function. In some cases, they achieve a reversal of symptoms and have even returned to work.
Proactive Wellness Centers' ReCODE program uses significant functional medicine experience and includes:
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Targeted Nutrients
- Therapeutic Diets
We're thrilled to add this promising Alzheimer's disease treatment for qualifying patients at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Chronic Disease Treatment
Long-term diseases like Lyme disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can ruin a person's life and often leave them afraid to leave the house. To make matters worse, these chronic diseases are often initially misdiagnosed, complicating treatment and leaving the patient depressed and hopeless. And while some medical prescriptions can help, many chronic disease sufferers live without finding true relief.
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our innovative doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment program to address chronic diseases like CIRS and Lyme disease. Generally, our Chronic Disease Treatment follows SSRP protocols as defined below:
- Stop the progression of the disease while strengthening the immune system
- Stabilize patients by balancing hormones and restoring energy
- Reverse cellular, mitochondrial, and other damages caused by chronic diseases, based on lab markers and/or symptomatic expression
- Prevent further development of the chronic disease processes
Our SSRP protocol provides patients with a promising program based largely on the emerging bodies of evidence in the chronic disease space. This evidence is supported by peer-reviewed medical journals, clinical studies, and even double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

When choosing chronic disease treatments for patients, our team of doctors and clinicians focus on safety and efficacy before anything else. Typical therapies associated with our chronic disease treatment programs include:
- IV Vitamin Therapy
- Targeted Nutritional Supplements
- Compassionate Care and Personalized Service from Qualified Doctors
As an integrative practice, we use conventional medications when indicated, especially in cases of underlying co-infections and other areas where traditional medication offers the best course of treatment.
If you're at your wit's end living with a chronic disease, call Proactive Wellness Centers today. Our innovative treatments and therapies may be the key you need to unlock a new, healthy life.
Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
From GAINSWave therapy in Annadale, VA, to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women, our doctors are here to serve you with care, compassion, and a commitment to your health.
That's because, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we take a patient-first approach to every service we offer. Unlike some anti-aging clinics, we focus on your goals, your experiences, and how we can address your health and well-being needs. We believe with a full heart that your story matters, and we're ready and waiting to listen. If you're looking for personalized, functional, regenerative treatments that address root causes, you're only a phone call away from living a healthier life.

Hours Open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Latest News in Annadale, VA
Families displaced following condo fire in Fairfax County
wusa9.comhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/families-displaced-following-condo-fire-in-annandale-little-river-square-condos/65-972451ee-cc1f-46c3-8436-2cd1f50b9b6b
ANNANDALE, Va. — An entire condominium building is in the dark following a three-alarm fire in Annandale, VA.Fairfax County Fire and Rescue say they responded to the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Fire officials say the blaze started in a third story unit and that it spread to the attic.Neighbors say smoke woke them up as they slept and families were forced to evacuate in the chilling temperat...
ANNANDALE, Va. — An entire condominium building is in the dark following a three-alarm fire in Annandale, VA.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue say they responded to the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Fire officials say the blaze started in a third story unit and that it spread to the attic.
Neighbors say smoke woke them up as they slept and families were forced to evacuate in the chilling temperatures.
The Red Cross reported that they are assisting 60 people impacted by the fire. Some have been given a hotel to sleep the time being.
Manuel Perez who lives in the neighboring condo building say he saw entire families with blankets outside as they watched the smoke engulf their homes.
At 1:38 AM, units dispatched to apartment fire in 7400 block of Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Fire was on the third floor extending into attic. Fire now under control. Crews hitting hot-spots. One occupant transported to hospital. Went to 3rd alarms total. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/QOXKwac1T4
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) February 5, 2023
"It's better to help in this time when people need it," said Perez who has connected an extension cord from his home to his neighbor's across the way so that they can make it through the night.
The electrical and gas services have been shut off at the building.
Jorge Colindres says he appreciates his neighbors generosity because he has no place to spend the night with his wife and four kids. "Thank god he is letting me use this extension cord for power, that's how we are making through the night," he said.
Neighbors say they have been told that services will possibly be restored on Monday.
Some residents told WUSA9 off camera that they are unsure when they will be able to return to their homes because of the extensive soot inside their units. Some families were seen returning to the building just to retrieve important documents.
Fairfax Fire and Rescue has not released details about what caused the multi-family unit fire.
Teams set for 2023 ITF Masters World Team Championships in Turkey
usta.comhttps://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/national/teams-set-for-2023-itf-masters-world-team-championships-in-turke.html
The pinnicle of international competition in the 30-, 35-, 40-, 45- and 50-year-old age groups, the event is the equivalent of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competitions. Following the team event, the World Individual Championships will be held from March 25 through April 1 at the same site.California and Texas each boast 10 players, accounting for half the U.S. delegation overall; Florida, Georgia, Texas and Washington all boast multiple selctions.The full list of competitors can be found below.Men’...
The pinnicle of international competition in the 30-, 35-, 40-, 45- and 50-year-old age groups, the event is the equivalent of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competitions. Following the team event, the World Individual Championships will be held from March 25 through April 1 at the same site.
California and Texas each boast 10 players, accounting for half the U.S. delegation overall; Florida, Georgia, Texas and Washington all boast multiple selctions.
The full list of competitors can be found below.
Men’s 30 Cup
1. Alan Regala, Seattle, Wash.
2. Jevin West, Seattle, Wash.
3. Josh Basha, Mountlake Terrace, Wash. - Captain
4. Neil Bennett, Alexandria, Va.
Italia Cup - Men’s 35 & over
1. Christian Guevara, Annadale, N.J.
2. Michael Cunningham, Lexington, Ky.
3. Nestor Bernabe, Providence, R.I. - Captain
4. Ruby Obregon, San Antonio, Texas
Tony Trabert Cup – Men’s 40 & over
1. Charles Hoeveler, Kentfield, Calif.
2. Darrin Cohen, Alamo, Calif.
3. Ryan Pang, Bellevue, Wash.
4. Ryan Sablan, Walnut Creek, Calif. - Captain
Dubler Cup – Men’s 45 & over
1. Guillermo Cosson, Houston, Texas
2. Marvin Colley, Panama City Beach, Fla.
3. Stuart “Ross” Duncan, Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Captain
4. Wojtek Bratek, San Antonio, Texas
Fred Perry Cup - Men’s 50 & over
1. Dana Gill, San Jose, Calif. – Captain
2. Neel Grover, Laguna Beach, Calif.
3. Oren Motevassel, Delray Beach, Fla.
4. Sean Straley, Sugar Land, Texas
Women’s 30 Cup
1. Erika Takeuchi, Seattle, Wash. - Captain
2. Lya Kushnirovich, St. Petersburg, Fla.
3. Mariel Tinnirello, New Braunfels, Texas
4. Monica Hoz de Vila, Houston, Texas
Suzanne Lenglen Cup - Women’s 35 & over
1. Evgenia Docker, Atlanta, Ga.
2. Jennifer Sinclair, Berkeley Lake, Ga. - Captain
3. Mariana Correa, Miami, Fla.
4. Stephanie Kusano Wallace, Napa, Calif.
Young Cup - Women’s 40 & over
1. Anda Perianu, Ithaca, N.Y.
2. Kaysie Smashey, Houston, Texas - Captain
3. Mariko Fritz-Krockow, Orinda, Calif.
4. Yulia Bolotova, Philadelphia, Pa.
Margaret Court Cup - Women’s 45 & over
1. Amanda Parson-Siegel, Henderson, Nev. - Captain
2. Brandi Bratek, San Antonio, Texas
3. Heather Waters, Clinton, N.C.
4. Patricia Zerdan, Addison, Texas
Maria Esther Bueno Cup - Women’s 50 & over
1. Christian Bartelt, Malibu, Calif.
2. Jenny Klitch, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. - Captain
3. Tracie Currie, Ventura, Calif.
4. Virginie Poritzky, Greenville, S.C.
60+ People Displaced in Annandale Apartment Fire
NBC4 Washingtonhttps://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/60-people-displaced-in-annandale-apartment-fire/3271876/
Dozens of people were displaced after a large fire broke out at an Annandale apartment complex. News4’s Mauricio Casillas reports.Slide 1 of 3160+ People Displaced in Annandale Apartment Fire...
Dozens of people were displaced after a large fire broke out at an Annandale apartment complex. News4’s Mauricio Casillas reports.
Slide 1 of 31
60+ People Displaced in Annandale Apartment Fire
Man Arrested in Deadly Fairfax County Shooting
Woman Hit, Killed in Seven Corners Crash
Caught on Camera: Police Pursue Armed Robbery Suspects Through Oncoming Traffic
Parents Charged After 11-Month-Old Overdoses on Fentanyl in Fairfax County
Carjacker Leaves Trail of Destruction, Injury in Northern Virginia
Alexandria Parents Charged in Baby's Overdose Death
Fairfax County School's Parent Academy Helps Guide Families
Key Evidence Allowed in Trial of Alexandria Teen Accused in Fatal Stabbing
Felony Charges Against School Bus Driver Dropped
Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Accused of Denying DUI Suspect Right to Fair, Speedy Trial
Sisters, 16 and 18, Killed in Spotsylvania County Crash
Student Suffers Possible Overdose in Fairfax County; Parents Discuss Crisis
Leesburg Airport Might Lose Remote Tower Technology
Bethany Safe House Director Sleeps in Car to Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence Survivors
Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Deputy's Cruiser in Ashburn
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Fairfax Co. moves ahead with plans to install solar panels on high school
Max Marcillahttps://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/virginia/fairfax-co-moves-ahead-with-plans-to-install-solar-panels-on-high-school/
ANNADALE, Va. (DC News Now) — Fairfax County Public School students have been pushing their school board for years to put solar panels on the roofs of their school buildings. On Thursday, a breakthrough happened.Annandale High School will be the first in the county to have solar panels on its roof, and Fairfax County school board members — and its superintendent — are giving kudos to students for making it happen.Students have been at the forefront of this issue and their voices led to a milestone — the ...
ANNADALE, Va. (DC News Now) — Fairfax County Public School students have been pushing their school board for years to put solar panels on the roofs of their school buildings. On Thursday, a breakthrough happened.
Annandale High School will be the first in the county to have solar panels on its roof, and Fairfax County school board members — and its superintendent — are giving kudos to students for making it happen.
Students have been at the forefront of this issue and their voices led to a milestone — the school board gave its unanimous support of solar panels on the roof of Annandale High School.
“To meet these goals we have to start now,” said Ariya Lee, an eighth grader at Rachel Carson Middle School.
She’s called on Superintendent Michelle Reid to take action on the school district’s plan to go green. She spoke to the school board ahead of its vote, urging them to address an issue she said is not going away.
“Every day that passes we lose time to take climate action,” she said. “You can change that.”
One of the sponsors of the proposal, Board Member Karl Frisch, commended the students’ actions — which he says took them from board meetings in the county to lawmakers in Richmond.
“They eloquently represent the moral imperative of combating climate change,” he said.
According to a document shared on the school board’s agenda, the total payments FCPS will make to the installation company, Ipsun Power Inc., is estimated at $2.15 million over the 25-year-term, “an amount representing energy cost savings estimated by Ipsun and [third-party engineering firm Energy Solutions Division of CMTA, Inc.] as ranging between $11,000 and $22,000 per year, on average, for this site.”
“While we celebrate, it is still a preliminary step,” said Board Member Ricardy Anderson.
Next up for the district is to finalize the contract and start construction, one that it hopes will get them a step closer to its goal of carbon neutrality for all its schools by 2040.
“To address the climate crisis every level of government must act,” Frisch said. “Tonight’s vote is further proof that our board is committed to doing its part.”
FCPS said the construction of the solar panels will happen mostly during winter, summer, and spring breaks so student learning is not disrupted.
Toxic chemicals found in Annandale drinking water
Annandale Todayhttps://annandaletoday.com/toxic-chemicals-found-in-annandale/
According to the D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), Annandale zip code 22003 has the highest levels of toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluorakyl) chemicals in Fairfax CountyThe EWG tested tap water at 19 locations in Northern Virginia at private residences, commercial ...
According to the D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), Annandale zip code 22003 has the highest levels of toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluorakyl) chemicals in Fairfax County
The EWG tested tap water at 19 locations in Northern Virginia at private residences, commercial establishments, and parks.
The testing site in the 22003 zip code had the highest level in the county and the second-highest level of PFAS in Northern Virginia, with 57.56 parts per trillion (ppt). The highest level (62.4 ppt) was found in zip code 22025 in Prince William County. The EWG isn’t identifying the specific locations where the samples were taken.
PFAS are used in many kinds of products, including carpet, Teflon cookware, paint, cleaning products, and firefighting foam. They are used to make material water or stain resistant.
These chemicals are harmful to humans, and very small doses have been linked to cancer, increased cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, and low infant birth weights.
EWG calls PFAS “forever chemicals” because they build up in the body and never break down in the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t regulate PFAS but recommends PFAS levels in water should be below 70 ppt. The PFAS found in Northern Virginia are below that, but the EWG believes the threshold should be much lower – at 1 ppt. The Natural Resources Defense Council recommends 2 to 7 ppt.
“There is no monitoring, for the most part, required right now,” EWG analyst Sidney Evans told WUSA9. “There is no treatment required. That’s the drinking water we have; we need to protect it. This is going to continue to be an increasing problem.”
According to the EWG, higher PFAS levels were found in tap water from the Occoquan Reservoir than in drinking water originating in the Potomac River.
The EWG suggests residents concerned about forever chemicals in the water supply should use a reverse osmosis household water filter.
Fairfax Water insists “the quality of drinking water is excellent.” An email from Fairfax Water spokesperson Susan Miller states: “Fairfax Water prides itself on not just meeting but surpassing the drinking water standards set by both the Virginia Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Miller says the PFAS found in water samples from Northern Virginia are at very low levels, and “there is no immediate health concern due to the presence of these chemicals.”
“Research is ongoing at the state and federal level as to how and if these chemicals should be regulated in drinking water,” she says. “We will take necessary actions to meet future state and federal regulations when they are established.”
Testing by Fairfax Water didn’t find any PFAS, but that test only looked for six chemicals, while the EWG tested for 30.
A follow-up tweet from Fairfax Water says the Virginia Health Department is working on a statewide sampling plan for PFAS, and “we will follow their guidance once sampling plans are announced.”
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