What Are PFAS Chemicals and Why You Should Be Concerned

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals,” are a group of human-made substances that do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. These chemicals are now global pollutants, detected in water, soil, wildlife, and the blood of nearly every American.

What Are PFAS?

• PFAS are a group of over 9,000 synthetic chemicals developed in the 1930s and widely used since the 1950s.
• They are used in various industries including aerospace, automotive, textile manufacturing, and firefighting.
• Common products containing PFAS include:
• Non-stick cookware (e.g., Teflon)
• Stain- and water-resistant fabrics
• Food packaging (e.g., fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags)
• Firefighting foams (especially at airports and military bases)

Why PFAS Are a Threat

• Persistent: PFAS do not naturally break down in the environment.
• Bioaccumulative: They build up in the bodies of people, animals, and fish.
• Long-lasting: Some have half-lives of up to 8 years in the human body.
• Ubiquitous: Detected in the blood of 97% of Americans.

Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure

Exposure to PFAS, even at low levels, has been linked to several serious health concerns:

Cancer Linked to kidney, testicular, and other cancers Immune System Suppressed vaccine response and immunity Hormonal Disruption Affects thyroid, estrogen, and cholesterol levels Reproductive Health Reduced fertility and developmental harm to fetuses Liver & Kidney Damage Associated with liver lesions and kidney degeneration Low Birth Weight Correlation with maternal PFAS levels How Are You Exposed to PFAS? Water Contaminated public and private drinking water systems Surface water near industrial areas or airfields using firefighting foam Food Fish and livestock from contaminated areas Crops irrigated with PFAS-tainted water Fast food packaging and takeout containers Household & Products Stain- and water-resistant furniture, carpets, and clothing\ Nonstick cookware Cosmetics (e.g., foundation, mascara, dental floss) Cleaning products and paints Indoor dust from treated materials Workplaces Industrial or manufacturing facilities using or producing PFAS How to Reduce Your PFAS Exposure 1. Filter Your Drinking Water Install a Reverse Osmosis (RO) or Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system. These help reduce PFAS for: Drinking Cooking Baby formula preparation Brushing teeth Pet hydration 2. Rethink Cookware Avoid Teflon and PTFE-based non-stick pans Choose alternatives like cast iron or stainless steel 3. Check Food Sources Limit consumption of locally caught fish from contaminated waters Cut back on greasy fast food served in PFAS-treated wrappers Pop popcorn on the stovetop instead of in microwave bags 4. Inspect Product Labels Avoid products with these ingredients: PTFE (Teflon) Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) Perfluorononyl Dimethicone Perfluorohexane Look for labels free of "fluoro" or "perfluoro" compounds 5. Be Selective with Personal Care Choose PFAS-free cosmetics, dental floss, and lotions Avoid waterproof or long-lasting makeup with fluorinated ingredients 6. Choose Safer Clothing & Furnishings Skip stain- and water-resistant labels on clothing, furniture, and carpets Don’t apply aftermarket stain treatments 7. Avoid PFAS Foam Outdoors Don’t touch or let pets play in foam that piles up near water sources Rinse skin and pet fur after contact

Common Products That May Contain PFAS

Product Type	Examples
Water	Tap, wells, runoff
Cookware	Non-stick pans
Food Packaging	Fast food wrappers, pizza boxes
Textiles	Outdoor gear, water-resistant clothes
Home Goods	Stain-resistant carpets, upholstery
Cosmetics	Nail polish, lotion, mascara
Firefighting Foam	AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam)
Industrial Uses	Paints, sealants, waxes

PFAS chemicals are everywhere—but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. By becoming informed and making safer product choices, you can significantly reduce your exposure and advocate for cleaner water and stronger environmental protections.

Have you checked if your local water is contaminated with PFAS? Let us know in the comments and share any tips for reducing exposure!

PFAS Research and Resources: 

Grants for PFAS Research: https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/pfas/index.cfmITRC References: https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/references/More information for Perfluoroalkyls: Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease RegistryNational PFAS Contamination Coalition: https://pfasproject.net/Other PFAS-Related Resources: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/exposure/pfas/resources/index.cfmSerum Biomarkers of Exposure to perfluoroalkyl Substances in Relation to Serum Testosterone and Measures of Thyroid Function among Adults and Adolescents: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4483690/Policies enacted by states on PFAS Chemicals: https://www.saferstates.com/states-in-the-lead/Supported Publications on Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/pfas/index.cfmTimeline of PFAS Contamination: https://www.ewg.org/research/decades-polluters-knew-pfas-chemicals-were-dangerous-hid-risks-publicThe National Toxicology Program (NTP) Studies: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/pfas/Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls: Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry2022 PFOA and PFOS Drinking Water Health Advisories: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos