collapse of the old society

Thanks for the recommendation. They had to change the name after a Stop Sale order from the EPA for claims about filtering microbes. They're now Boroux filters.

One caution I have about carbon filters is regarding breakthrough. Activated carbon works through the contaminants "sticking" to it. Some contaminats are stickier than others. If a really sticky something comes along, it will knock off the less sticky thing that was already there. Hopefully this less sticky thing will restick further down the column, but there's a possibility for it to breakthrough into the filtered water. Imagine you're at a party with a friend and someone they like better shows up. The new person is stickier so you get knocked off. Now you can find someone else to hang out with, or just leave the party.

The particles like PFAS and microplastics are likely getting trapped in the pore space rather than being stuck to the carbon. This means that they won't come unstuck, but they will decrease the flow rate through the filter. Like having a car break down and block a lane of traffic.