People Are Exposed to PFAS in a Variety of Ways

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Surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that most people in the United States have been exposed to some PFAS.  Most known exposures are relatively low, but some can be high, particularly when people are exposed to a concentrated source over long periods of time.  

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Research has shown that people are exposed to PFAS by:

• Working in occupations such as firefighting, or chemicals manufacturing, and processing plant.

• Drinking water.

• Eating certain foods, such as fish.

• Breathing air, soil, or dust containing PFAS.

• Using products made with PFAS, or that are packaged in materials containing PFAS.

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PFAS can be present in our water, soil, air, and food as well as in materials found in our homes or workplaces, including:

• Drinking water – in public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells.

• Soil and water at or near waste sites - at landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites such as those that fall under the federal Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs.

• Fire extinguishing foam - in aqueous film-forming foams (or AFFFs) used to extinguish flammable liquid-based fires.  Such foams are used in training and emergency response events at airports, shipyards, military bases, firefighting training facilities, chemical plants, and refineries.

• Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that produce or use PFAS – for example at chrome plating, electronics, and certain textile and paper manufacturers.

• Food – for example in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS.

• Food packaging – for example in grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.

• Household products and dust – for example in stain and water-repellent used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; paints, varnishes, and sealants.

• Personal care products – for example in certain shampoo, dental floss, and cosmetics.

• Biosolids – for example fertilizer from wastewater treatment plants that is used on agricultural lands can affect ground and surface water and animals that graze on the land.