Where It Comes From
Releases during manufacture, use, or disposal of PFAS‑containing surfactants and aqueous film‑forming foams (AFFF); contamination at airports, fire‑training areas, and industrial sites [2][6].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated water; eating fish or food from affected areas; indoor dust; workplace contact for people who handle foams or fluorinated surfactants [1][2].
Why It Matters
PFAS are very persistent. Exposure to some PFAS is linked to higher cholesterol, liver effects, reduced vaccine antibody response, pregnancy‑related high blood pressure, and certain cancers (strongest evidence for PFOA) [1][3][4].
Who Is at Risk
People using private wells near airports/fire‑training sites or PFAS‑using industries; firefighters; workers handling foams/surfactants; pregnant people, infants, and children [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check local water results; consider NSF/ANSI‑certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters; follow fish advisories; damp‑dust/HEPA‑vacuum; choose PFAS‑free products; follow workplace protections [1][2][5].
References
- [1]ATSDR. PFAS and Your Health. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas
- [2]EPA. PFAS Explained. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
- [3]NTP. Immunotoxicity of PFOA and PFOS (2016). https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/imm/exposure/pfoa-pfos
- [4]IARC. Press Release 264: IARC evaluates PFAS (2023). https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pr264_E.pdf
- [5]ATSDR. Reduce Exposure to PFAS. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/reduce-exposure.html
- [6]Barzen‑Hanson KA et al. Fluorinated surfactants in AFFF. Environ Sci Technol Lett. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00237