Where It Comes From
Manufacture and use of PFAS-based surfactants in metal plating, textiles, and coatings; releases to air, water, and waste during production and use [2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking water near PFAS facilities or plating shops, workplace air/skin contact, indoor dust from treated products, and eating contaminated fish [1][2].
Why It Matters
PFAS can build up in people. Some PFAS are associated with reduced vaccine response, higher cholesterol, liver and thyroid changes, and pregnancy/developmental effects; PFOA is carcinogenic to humans [1][3][4].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling PFAS or chrome-plating mists; residents using contaminated private wells; pregnant people, infants, and children; those eating locally caught fish from affected waters [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check local water reports; consider NSF-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters for PFAS; follow fish advisories; minimize use of stain- and water-resistant treatments; follow workplace controls and PPE [1][2][5].
References
- [1]ATSDR/CDC. PFAS and Your Health.
- [2]U.S. EPA. Basic information about PFAS.
- [3]NTP. Monograph on Immunotoxicity of PFOA and PFOS.
- [4]IARC. Evaluation of PFOA (Group 1) and PFOS (Group 2B).
- [5]U.S. EPA. Point-of-Use/Point-of-Entry Treatment for PFAS in Drinking Water.