Where It Comes From
AFFF foams; stain- and water-repellent treatments on textiles, carpets, and paper; industrial discharges and landfills; and breakdown of related PFAS [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated tap or well water; eating contaminated fish or game; indoor dust; and workplace contact in firefighting, airports, or PFAS-using industries [1][2].
Why It Matters
Builds up in the body for years; most people have some in their blood. Exposure has been linked to reduced vaccine response, higher cholesterol, liver and thyroid changes, and effects during pregnancy and childhood [1][3].
Who Is at Risk
People on private wells near airports, military bases, or PFAS facilities; pregnant people, infants and children; and workers handling AFFF or PFAS [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Test your water; use certified activated carbon or reverse-osmosis filters for PFAS; follow fish advisories; reduce dust (wet clean/HEPA vacuum); and limit stain- or water-resistant products [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS). 2021. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [2]EPA. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
- [3]CDC. National Biomonitoring Program: PFAS Factsheet. https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html