Where It Comes From
Fluoropolymer manufacturing, AFFF firefighting foams, treated textiles/carpets, and food‑contact coatings; releases from factories, landfills, and spills [1][4].
How You Are Exposed
Drinking contaminated tap or well water, eating contaminated fish/food, indoor dust, and some workplaces (fluorochemical production, firefighting) [1][4].
Why It Matters
Builds up in people for years; associated with higher cholesterol, reduced vaccine antibody response, liver and thyroid effects, pregnancy‑induced hypertension, and kidney and testicular cancers [1][2][3]. EPA’s drinking‑water MCL for PFOA is 4 ppt [4].
Who Is at Risk
Pregnant people, fetuses/infants, communities near affected facilities or bases, private‑well users, and exposed workers [1][4].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Test well water; use certified filters (NSF/ANSI 53 carbon or 58 reverse osmosis) for PFOA; follow local water and fish advisories; choose fewer stain‑resistant products; wet‑dust/HEPA‑vacuum; and follow workplace controls [1][4][5].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (2021). https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
- [2]IARC. Carcinogenicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (2023). https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pr264_E.pdf
- [3]NTP. Monograph on Immunotoxicity of PFOA and PFOS (2016). https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/ohat/pfoa_pfos/pfoa_pfosmonograph_508.pdf
- [4]U.S. EPA. PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (2024). https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas/epas-pfas-national-primary-drinking-water-regulation
- [5]U.S. EPA. Steps to reduce your risk from PFAS (filters, advisories) (2023). https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk