Where It Comes From
Manufacturing and use in surface treatments for textiles, leather, paper/packaging, and other industrial applications; releases from facilities and waste streams [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking water near production or disposal sites, contact with treated consumer goods, indoor dust, food from grease-resistant packaging, and workplace air or skin contact [2][4].
Why It Matters
PFAS persist in the environment; some build up in people and wildlife. PFAS exposure has been linked to immune effects, higher cholesterol, liver and thyroid changes, developmental effects, and some cancers (e.g., PFOA) [2][3][5].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling PFAS products, communities with contaminated water, pregnant people, infants and children [2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Use water filters certified to reduce PFAS (activated carbon, RO), limit use of stain- or water‑repellent products, avoid grease-resistant packaging, wet‑dust and vacuum with HEPA, and follow workplace safety guidance [2][4].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard. Entry for CAS 148240-89-5.
- [2]ATSDR. PFAS and Your Health; Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (2021).
- [3]NTP. Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) (2016).
- [4]U.S. EPA. PFAS Explained; Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water and Home.
- [5]IARC Monographs (2023): PFOA—Carcinogenic to humans (Group 1); PFOS—Possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B).