Where It Comes From
Made and used in fluorinated coatings, textiles, paper, inks/adhesives, and industrial surfactants; released from manufacturing and treated products. [1][2]
How You Are Exposed
Drinking water near plants or firefighting training sites; indoor dust and treated items; some foods (fish, packaged foods); workplace air/skin contact. [1][2][3]
Why It Matters
PFAS don’t break down and can build up in people; studies of related PFAS link exposure to higher cholesterol, liver effects, reduced vaccine response, developmental effects, and certain cancers (e.g., PFOA—kidney). [1][4][5]
Who Is at Risk
PFAS workers; people near fluorochemical facilities or AFFF training areas; pregnant people and infants; private‑well users; those eating a lot of locally caught fish where advisories exist. [1][2][3]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check local water results; use certified home filters (activated carbon or reverse osmosis) if PFAS are detected; follow fish advisories; choose fewer “fluoro/PTFE” products; clean dust with wet methods/HEPA; follow workplace PPE. [3][1][2]
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2021.
- [2]EPA. Basic Information on PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- [3]CDC/ATSDR. PFAS and Your Health (exposure and reducing risk).
- [4]NTP. Monograph on Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to PFOA and PFOS, 2016.
- [5]IARC. Press Release 264: IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of PFOA (Group 1) and PFOS (Group 2B), 2023.