Where It Comes From
Manufacture/use of PFAS in coatings, textiles, paper treatments, metal finishing, and firefighting foams [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated water, eating food that contacted treated packaging, breathing or ingesting indoor dust, or workplace contact [2].
Why It Matters
PFAS resist breakdown and can accumulate; some are linked to higher cholesterol, reduced vaccine response, liver changes, lower birth weight, and certain cancers. Risks vary by compound and dose [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling PFAS, people using contaminated private wells, pregnant people, infants and children [2][4].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check local water PFAS results; consider NSF/ANSI-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters; limit stain-/water-/oil-repellent treatments; follow workplace protections; wet-clean dust and ventilate [1][2][4].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA. PFAS Explained. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
- [2]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (2021). https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [3]NTP. Immunotoxicity of PFOA and PFOS (2016). https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/monographs/pfoa
- [4]CDC/ATSDR. PFAS and Your Health. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html