PFAS: Knowing the Basics

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have become notorious as drinking water contaminants. Known as “forever chemicals” because of their remarkable persistence and mobility—they do not break down in the environment and can move through air and soil to contaminate drinking water—PFAS are global pollutants that threaten the health of people and wildlife. 

These chemicals have been widely utilized in a range of products including firefighting foam, cosmetics and other personal care products, textiles including furniture and clothing, cookware, refrigerators, heat pumps, cars, and plastic packaging.  They are also used in certain manufacturing processes for products like semiconductors and electronics. 

As more PFAS contamination is uncovered the costs to clean up pollution are skyrocketing.  From installing filters for drinking water systems to cleaning up farmland, estimates for proper clean-up are in the billions of dollars and taxpayers are largely footing the bill. 

Learn more about PFAS and how we are exposed here.

PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment, and some of them build up in people and animals. They can migrate out of consumer products into household dust and air, are released by industries, and contaminate drinking water and food. Nearly all U.S. residents have PFAS in their bodies, with biomonitoring studies finding PFAS in blood, breast milk, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, placenta, and other tissues.

A growing body of scientific research has found links between PFAS exposure and a wide range of health problems including a weaker immune system, cancer, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease.

• Harm to the immune system: Research has identified the immune system as sensitive to PFAS in both laboratory and epidemiological studies. A number of studies have found that children with higher exposure to PFAS have both poorer immune response to vaccines and more childhood infections.
• Cancer: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated the common drinking water contaminant PFOA as a possible carcinogen, and a highly exposed population had a higher incidence of testicular and kidney cancer.
• Cholesterol: Studies in people have linked PFAS exposure to higher cholesterol.
• Thyroid effects: PFAS exposure has been linked to thyroid dysfunction and disease in both the general and highly exposed populations.
• Liver toxicity: PFAS are associated with multiple effects on the liver including fatty liver and disruption of liver function.
• Reproductive and toxicity: PFAS exposure is linked to pregnancy-induced hypertension as well as reduced birth weight.

PFAS has contaminated farmland in several ways:

• Spreading of sludge. Most states allow for biosolids or sludge to be spread on farmland. But testing has found that sludge can contain high levels of PFAS. Several farms across the country have been impacted and some have had to shut down. Maine has been a leader on this issue and has banned the spreading of biosolids on farmland and created a fund of $50 million to aid impacted farms. 
• PFAS-containing pesticides. Many pesticides contain PFAS. Although not an active ingredient, PFAS is sometimes added to pesticides to help aid in the spread and to help the pesticide stick to the crops. PFAS then seeps into the land, building up over time. 
• Contaminated water. PFAS in sludge or pesticide applications can leach into groundwater, which is often used for irrigation on farms. Contaminated water used for irrigation can further spread PFAS to crops and other areas of the farm.

Firefighters are on the frontlines of PFAS exposure:

• PFAS in firefighting foam. Firefighting foams, especially Class B foams (such as AFFF), contain high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used for their water- and grease-repellent properties. Firefighters can be exposed through skin contact, inhalation of vapors, or accidental ingestion. 

• PFAS in turnout gear: Firefighters’ protective clothing (turnout gear) is often treated with PFAS-based chemicals to make it water- and stain-resistant. Over time, these chemicals can be absorbed by the wearer or leach into the environment.
• PFAS in burning products. Many consumer products, such as carpets, textiles, and electronics, contain PFAS, which can release toxic compounds when burned in a fire. This can expose firefighters to harmful fumes.

Governments, retailers, and brands are taking action to phase out PFAS in products to prevent contamination in favor of safer alternatives.

Sixteen states have taken action to eliminate PFAS from consumer products including food packaging, clothing, furniture and cosmetics. Download Safer States’ fact sheet on PFAS state action to see what states have done to address the PFAS crisis at a glance.  

Eleven states have standards such as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS in drinking water. Twelve additional states (AK, CA, CT, CO, HI, IL, MD, MN, NC, NM, OH and OR) have adopted guidance, health advisory, or notification levels for certain PFAS chemicals.

In 2024, the US EPA finalized drinking water standards 6 PFAS. This is the first time that drinking water standards have been finalized for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act since it was updated in 1996. The finalized drinking water standards are:

• 4 parts per trillion for PFOA
• 4 parts per trillion for PFOS
• A standard based on the hazard of a mixture of four PFAS chemicals: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (commonly known as Gen X)
• 10 parts per trillion for PFNA
• 10 parts per trillion for PFHxS
• 10 parts per trillion for HFPO-DA 

The US EPA finalized a rule to designating two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as “hazardous substances” under the federal program, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), known as “Superfund.” This designation will make it easier to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up toxic contamination. 

At least eight state governments have added PFAS to their state’s hazardous substances regulations, including AK, DE, MA, NJ, NY, RI, WA, VT. Actions taken by these states vary from guidance to cleanup standards. Washington State added the entire class of PFAS to its hazardous substance policy while other states have targeted specific PFAS compounds including PFOA and PFOS.

As of April 2024, 30 US State Attorneys General (AGs) have initiated litigation against the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals for contaminating water supplies and other natural resources. Resources secured from manufacturers will go toward the billions needed for clean up. Recent settlements by cities and water districts with 3M, Chemours and Dow are vastly insufficient to address the problem. Learn more here.

Retailer and Brand Action: At least 37 brands and retail chains have committed to eliminating or reducing PFAS in food packaging, textiles and/or other products.