Where It Comes From
Made and used in fluorinated repellents for textiles, carpets, paper/packaging, paints, and floor/fabric finishes [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Dust and air from treated goods; skin or inhalation at work; drinking water near manufacturing, firefighting-foam sites, or waste areas; possible migration from food contact materials [1][2][3].
Why It Matters
Data on this exact chemical are limited, but PFAS exposure is linked to higher cholesterol, decreased vaccine response, thyroid and liver changes, and pregnancy/developmental effects; some PFAS (e.g., PFOA) cause cancer [1][4][5].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling PFAS; people with contaminated water; infants and children (more dust hand‑to‑mouth); pregnant people [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Choose PFAS‑free/“fluorine‑free” products; clean dust regularly (wet mopping and vacuuming); check your water quality and consider certified activated carbon or reverse‑osmosis filters; follow workplace protections [1][2][3].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS). 2021. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [2]EPA. Learn about Per‑ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). https://www.epa.gov/pfas/learn-about-pfas
- [3]EPA. Treating PFAS in Drinking Water. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/treating-pfas-drinking-water
- [4]NTP. Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to PFOA and PFOS. 2016. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/pfoa
- [5]IARC. Monographs Vol. 135: PFOA (Group 1) and PFOS (Group 2B). 2023. https://monographs.iarc.who.int/ardu/volumes/135/