Where It Comes From
PFAS manufacturing, AFFF firefighting foams, treated textiles/leather, nonstick and grease‑resistant coatings, and landfill/wastewater discharges [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated fish/food, indoor dust from treated products, and some workplaces [1][2].
Why It Matters
Long‑chain PFAS exposure is linked to higher cholesterol, reduced vaccine response, liver and developmental effects; PFOA (a related PFAS) is carcinogenic to humans [1][3][4].
Who Is at Risk
People with contaminated private wells or community systems, firefighters, PFAS industry workers, pregnant people, infants/children, and high consumers of locally caught fish [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check local water and fish advisories; use home filters certified to reduce PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58); avoid stain‑resistant/water‑repellent treatments; wet‑dust and wash hands; follow workplace PPE/hygiene [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS), 2021. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [2]US EPA. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS, 2024. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
- [3]NTP. Monograph on Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to PFOA or PFOS, 2016. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/pfoa
- [4]IARC. Monographs Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), 2023. https://publications.iarc.fr/604