Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that may have negative health effects. You may be exposed to these chemicals from eating or drinking food or water with these compounds. The most is known about the health effects of two PFAS - perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)- but other PFAS may have similar adverse effects in humans. As new studies become available, our understanding of the health effects of these compounds in humans will continue to grow and we will continue to update this page.
The potential health effects of these substances depend on how much you are exposed to (eat and drink), how long you are exposed, and personal factors including age, lifestyle and overall health. The healthiest thing you can do is lower your exposure to these compounds. For example, if exposure is through drinking water from a private well, consider using other sources of drinking water or installing a treatment system.
Certain treatments can remove these compounds from drinking water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not removed from water by boiling. Learn more about drinking water treatment for private wells.
At this time, only a small number of laboratories in the US are approved, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to test for PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS using EPA method 537.1 Learn more about testing your private well water for PFAS.
People served by a community water system (or municipal water supply) should contact their local water authority with questions about PFCs or PFAS in their drinking water.
The potential health effects of these substances depend on how much you are exposed to (eat and drink), how long you are exposed, and personal factors including age, lifestyle and overall health. The healthiest thing you can do is lower your exposure to these compounds. For example, if exposure is through drinking water from a private well, consider using other sources of drinking water or installing a treatment system.
The relationship between exposure to PFAS and health effects in people is still being studied. Much of the knowledge about PFAS comes from animal studies, however, humans and animals process these chemicals differently, so more research is needed to fully understand potential health effects. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposures to mixtures of different PFAS. The health effects of four PFAS- PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA- have been most widely studied. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some but not all studies in humans have shown that exposure to certain PFAS may:
Infants may be at higher risk of health problems because they drink much more water compared to their body weight than older people. While what we know about the health effects in children is limited, certain PFAS may affect growth, learning and behavior of infants and children.
- affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
- lower a woman's chance of getting pregnant
- interfere with the body's natural hormones
- increase cholesterol levels
- affect the immune system
- increase the risk of cancer
Health Effects for Children
Infants may be at higher risk of health problems because they drink much more water compared to their body weight than older people. While what we know about the health effects in children is limited, certain PFAS may affect growth, learning and behavior of infants and children.
Removing these compounds from water
Certain treatments can remove these compounds from drinking water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not removed from water by boiling. Learn more about drinking water treatment for private wells.
Testing for these compounds in private well drinking water
At this time, only a small number of laboratories in the US are approved, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to test for PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS using EPA method 537.1 Learn more about testing your private well water for PFAS.
People served by a community water system (or municipal water supply) should contact their local water authority with questions about PFCs or PFAS in their drinking water.
Become more informed about PFAS by looking at these Web Resources:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/perfluorinated-chemical-pfc-research
- https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
New Mexico Department of Health:
If you are a physician and there is a concern about PFCs, the first response should focus on minimizing exposures and treating symptoms.
These resources are available to medical professionals:
Information on this section updated January 2020.
These resources are available to medical professionals:
- An Overview of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Interim Guidance for Clinicians Responding to Patient Exposure Concerns (guidance to answer common patient questions) is available at:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/ATSDR_PFAS_ClinicalGuidance_12202019.pdf - Information for Clinicians along with community materials and key clinical materials can be accessed on the ATSDR PFAS page: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html
- Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Information for Clinicians is a voiceover video slide presentation. This link goes directly to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWBFdT52D84 - Continuing Education for Clinicians. Course WD2837, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Information for Clinicians (Web on Demand) is available at:
https://tceols.cdc.gov/Course/Detail2?activityID2=4288&activityInstanceID2=4288&previousPage=search - The presentation is designed for clinicians and offers peer-reviewed, up-to-date literature about PFAS, the known and potential health effects associated with PFAS exposure, and information on how to address potential patient concerns. One can register for free continuing education credit after successfully completing the PFAS posttest.
- At time of posting credits available included: CME, CEU, CPH, CHES
- If you want to view the presentation only, it is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWBFdT52D84
Information on this section updated January 2020.