Where It Comes From
Past PFOS uses in AFFF, textile/paper treatments, and metal plating; contamination near airports, bases, plating shops, and landfills [1].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated tap or well water; eating contaminated fish/food; indoor dust; certain workplaces (firefighting, plating, fluorochemical) [1][2].
Why It Matters
PFOS builds up in the body; linked to higher cholesterol, reduced vaccine response, liver/thyroid changes, and developmental effects. EPA set very low drinking water limits for PFOS [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
People using private wells near contaminated sites; pregnant people, infants and children; workers using AFFF or PFAS; high consumers of locally caught fish [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Test well water; follow local advisories; use certified filters (activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ion exchange) for PFOS; choose fish per advisories; damp‑dust/HEPA‑vacuum; follow workplace protections [2][4].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS). 2021. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [2]CDC/ATSDR. PFAS and Your Health. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html
- [3]U.S. EPA. PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-national-primary-drinking-water-regulation
- [4]U.S. EPA. Treating PFAS in Drinking Water. https://www.epa.gov/water-research/treating-pfas-drinking-water