What Are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS, are a group of chemicals that are man-made. Since the 1950s, PFAS have been used in many consumer products and industrial processes. They have properties that resist heat, grease, and water. There are thousands of PFAS, however, the most common types are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid).
Where do you find PFAS? PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of their use in commercial products but are still found in the environment from historical uses and some firefighting foams. Some products are made with other PFAS as replacements for PFOA and PFOS. These PFAS can be found in many everyday products, such as: cleaning products, water-resistant fabrics, grease-resistant paper, nonstick cookware, personal care products (like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and eye makeup), and stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics.
How are we exposed to PFAS? There are many ways we may be exposed to PFAS; however, the main ways people can be exposed to PFAS include: drinking contaminated water, eating fish with high levels of PFAS, eating food grown or raised near places that used or made PFAS, eating food packaged in materials made with PFAS, swallowing contaminated soil or dust, and using consumer products that contain PFAS.
PFAS do not easily enter the body through the skin. Touching and having skin contact with water, products, or packaging containing PFAS is not a major contributor of PFAS exposure. Even if your water supply contains PFAS, it is still safe to use for showering, bathing, and washing hands. However, when bathing infants and children, be sure to monitor them and make sure they do not swallow bath or shower water. You can also use water containing PFAS for laundry, washing dishes, washing produce, brushing teeth, and filling your swimming pool. To reduce the chance of accidental ingestion of small amounts of PFAS, remind swimmers not to swallow pool water.
How can PFAS affect our health? Research studies among humans have examined a possible link between PFAS levels in the blood and harmful health effects. Most studies have only analyzed a small number of chemicals and not all PFAS have the same health effects, so there is still more to learn. However, research does suggest that high levels of some PFAS may: increase cholesterol levels, decrease how well the body responds to vaccines, increase the risk of thyroid disease, decrease fertility in women, increase the risk of serious conditions like high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and lower infant birth weights (however, the decrease in weight is small and may not affect health).
How can I decrease my exposure to PFAS? Since PFAS are so common in our environment, there is no easy way to completely avoid them, however, there are some simple actions you can take to limit your contact or exposure to PFAS. These actions include testing your drinking water for PFAS, using a drinking water source with PFAS levels below the recommended groundwater standards (bottled water that has been purified or filtered, water from a treatment system certified to reduce PFAS, water from a source that has been tested for PFAS and does not contain PFAS above the recommended standard), follow state guidance on consuming fish, follow healthy swimming guidelines, vacuum your home regularly, and limit your contact with products that contain PFAS.
If you have questions about PFAS, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm or call Jackson County Public Health at 715-284-4301.
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community.
