Where It Comes From
Manufacturing and past use in water/stain‑repellent coatings for textiles, carpets, paper/packaging, and some firefighting foams; may remain in older products and wastes [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking water, indoor dust from treated furnishings, food contact materials, and certain workplaces; higher near PFAS facilities or foam‑use sites [1][2].
Why It Matters
PFAS can build up in people and wildlife; some PFAS are linked to higher cholesterol, immune effects (reduced vaccine response), liver/thyroid changes, and developmental harms; PFOA is carcinogenic; data for this specific compound are limited but related PFAS act as precursors to perfluoroalkyl sulfonates [1][3][4].
Who Is at Risk
PFAS workers, communities near manufacturing or airports/fire‑training areas, pregnant people, infants and children (dust and hand‑to‑mouth) [1][2][3].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Use certified activated carbon or reverse‑osmosis filters for contaminated water, choose PFAS‑free products, avoid optional stain‑resistant treatments, wet‑dust/HEPA‑vacuum, and wash hands before eating [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS).
- [2]U.S. EPA. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS; PFAS in Drinking Water.
- [3]NTP. Immunotoxicity of PFOA and PFOS (evidence for reduced antibody response).
- [4]IARC Monographs. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), carcinogenic to humans.