PFAS: What you need to know about these ‘forever chemicals’

Whether or not you’ve heard of PFAS, there’s a good chance it’s in your blood. The human-made chemical has been found in water, air, fish, and soil across the nation — and Washington is no exception. These “forever chemicals” are a public health concern and aptly named because they’re tough to break down. So, what can you do to reduce your exposure? Let’s take a closer look…

What are PFAS?

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are long lasting chemicals that have been around since the 1940s. They’re used to enhance everyday items, like stain and water-resistant clothing, carpet, food packaging, non-stick cookware, and cosmetics. They’ve also been added to certain firefighting foams used at military bases, fire departments, and airports.

PFAS are used in so many products that we’re all exposed to them on some level and almost all of us have measurable levels of PFAS in our blood. Most known exposures are low, but some people have higher exposures to PFAS because of where they live or work.

Can PFAS effect my health?

PFAS break down very slowly and stay in the environment for a long time. Because of this, they can build up in people, animals, and the environment. Although scientists are still studying how PFAS effect health, high exposure may cause:

  • Decreased immune system responses to vaccines

  • Increased cholesterol levels

  • Changes in liver enzymes that may be related to liver damage

  • Increased risk of thyroid disease

  • Increased risk of blood pressure problems during pregnancy

  • Decreased birth weights

  • Kidney and testicular cancer

Children under age 5 and people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding are considered more vulnerable to health impacts from these chemicals.

If you have specific health concerns, talk to your healthcare provider.

What’s Washington doing?

Last fall the US Environmental Protection Agency unveiled its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which aims to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable at the federal level. Additionally, in 2021, the Washington State Board of Health set State Action Levels (SALs) for five PFAS. The SALs provide our health recommendations for the safe, long-term consumption of drinking water and:

  • Require most public water systems in Washington to test for PFAS and take certain actions, like monitoring and notifying the public, if they find PFAS.

  • Recommend when people should take action to reduce PFAS in their drinking water.

More state actions can be found on DOH’s website.

What can I do?

Although there are many ways people can be exposed to PFAS, contaminated drinking water can be a major cause of exposure. You can’t see, taste, or smell PFAS, so testing is the only way to know for sure if PFAS are present.

  • If you get your water from a public water system, ask if they’ve tested for PFAS.

  • If you have a private well, you can test your water for PFAS, but it can cost several hundred dollars. Ask your local government if PFAS have been discovered near your well. Being close to a contaminated site doesn’t always mean there are PFAS in your water, but it may help you decide whether to test.

  • Filter your tap water with a treatment system that can reduce PFAS.

If PFAS are above a State Action Level in your drinking water, you can install a water filter that reduces PFAS in your tap water. Bottled water can be a good short-term solution for reducing your exposure until a water filter or other solution is in place You cannot boil PFAS out of water.

To further reduce your exposure, shop for PFAS-free products. To learn more about PFAS, visit the PFAS page of DOH’s website.

More Information

Information in this blog can change rapidly. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles. For more information from the Washington State Department of Health, visit doh.wa.gov.

Questions about COVID-19? Visit our COVID-19 website to learn more about vaccines and booster doses, testing, WA Notify, and more. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.

CHA Washington