PFAS

PFAS are found in many consumer products and in industrial, medical, and military applications. ^{(1, 6)}

• Water-repellant clothing and materials
• Stain-resistant carpet and fabric
• Non-stick cookware
• Grease-, oil-, and water-resistant products (such as pizza boxes)
• Cosmetics (waterproofing and smoothing products)
• Some firefighting foams (aqueous film-forming foam/AFFF)
• Biosolids from wastewater treatment plants used as agricultural fertilizers
• Semiconductor manufacturing and components
• Medical equipment and durable medical devices (heart valves, vascular grafts)

PFAS may also be found in significant amounts in the soil, water, or air near industrial sites where PFAS are manufactured or used, near military installations, airports, or fire stations where AFFF has been used, and in some landfills and wastewater treatment plants. ^{(1, 6)}

The main routes of human exposure to PFAS are through ingestion of food or beverages containing PFAS or through inhalation of airborne PFAS-containing dust or particles.  PFAS may also be transferred from a mother who has been exposed to PFAS to her baby through the placenta or breastmilk.  Absorption of PFAS through the skin is minimal. ^{(1, 6)}

Once ingested or inhaled, PFAS remain in the body for a few days to a few decades or more, depending on the specific chemical and its properties.  Most PFAS are not metabolized, so they must be excreted in order to be removed from the body.  The primary route of excretion is through the urine.⁽⁷⁾

Although there are thousands of unique PFAS chemicals, only a few have been studied to any extent to determine their effect on human health.  

In 2022, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) issued a report based on the available PFAS literature at the time ^{(2, 3)}.  The findings from this report indicate that the health effects most strongly associated with PFAS include:

• Increased cholesterol levels
• Increased risk of kidney cancer
• Immune system effects (lowered response to vaccines)
• Lower birth weights

The report also included health effects that have some evidence of an association with PFAS.

These include:

• Changes in liver enzymes
• Increased risk of testicular cancer
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia

If you decide to speak to your healthcare provider about your potential PFAS exposure, these resources can give you a good place to start the discussion.

• Testing for PFAS (ATSDR)
• PFAS Blood Testing: What You Need to Know (PFAS Exchange)
• Speaking to your healthcare provider about exposures to PFAS (ANHE)

Although PFAS are widely found in the environment, individual exposure may be reduced with some relatively easy steps.  When purchasing items, read labels carefully, as PFAS may be used in some surprising places.  ^{(4, 5)}

• Avoid non-stick cookware and utensils
• Avoid water-repellent and stain-repellant clothing, furniture, and carpet
• Do not buy disposable items (such as paper plates) that may be coated for resistance to grease or moisture
• Consider alternatives to waterproof cosmetic items
• Use home water filtration systems such as reverse osmosis or granular activated carbon