What are PFAS | PFAS and the Environment | Exposure | Health Concerns | Steps to Lower Exposure
What Are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of thousands of different human-made chemicals. PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they take a very long time to break down in the environment. Two of the most well-known chemicals in the PFAS family are perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
PFAS chemicals have been used since the 1950s to make many industrial and consumer products that are:
- Stain-resistant.
- Water-resistant.
- Non-stick.
- Grease-resistant.
- Chemical and temperature-resistant.
PFAS chemicals were also used in some types of firefighting foams, like aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). These foams are used to put out fuel fires.
How Do PFAS Get into the Environment?
PFAS chemicals can be released directly into air, water, indoor dust or soil from products that contain PFAS. They can also be released from industries that make PFAS or use PFAS to make products. All PFAS in the environment are from historical releases of PFAS chemicals from consumer products and manufacturing.
Many PFAS added to products end up our waste streams. This can result in more PFAS getting into our environment. For example,
- PFAS in household products, like clothing and personal care products, can go down a sink or drain when we do laundry or bathe. These PFAS end up in a septic tank or public sewer system.
- PFAS in food containers and wrappers may end up in food compost.
- PFAS in paper, plastic and electronics may end up in recycling centers.
- PFAS containing products thrown into the trash, end up in landfills or municipal waste incinerators.
In Washington, PFAS that got into the environment have been found in:
- 20% of public drinking water sources.
- Surface water (like lakes and rivers) and groundwater (water trapped between rocks underground).
- Soil.
- Fish and shellfish.
- Home-raised foods, such as chicken eggs, beef, and poultry, from contaminated areas.
How Are We Exposed?
We are exposed to PFAS in consumer products and our environment when we:
- Drink water contaminated with PFAS.
- Accidentally swallow or breathe in dust or soil contaminated with PFAS.
- Eat food (like meat, dairy, and vegetables) produced near places where PFAS were used or made.
- Eat fish or shellfish that lived in water contaminated with PFAS.
- Eat food packaged in materials that contain PFAS.
- Accidentally swallow residue or dust from consumer products that contain PFAS, like stain resistant carpets, some non-stick pans, water or sediment, repellant sprays, cosmetics, and ski waxes.
Why Are PFAS a Health Concern?
Some types of PFAS chemicals can build up in our bodies through a process called “bioaccumulation” when we’re exposed for a long time, such as months to years. This is a problem, because studies show that having higher levels of PFAS chemicals in our bodies could increase our risk for negative health impacts, including:
- Higher cholesterol levels
- Blood pressure problems during pregnancy
- Thyroid disease
- Lower birthweights for babies
- Weaker immune system responses to some vaccinations, like the tetanus vaccines, making them less effective at preventing infections
- Increased risk of some cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer
The good news is, “forever chemicals” does not mean “forever in our bodies.” When we lower our exposure, our bodies can start clearing the chemicals from our system!
Click on the links below to learn about steps you can take to protect your health!
