PFAS Fact Sheet

Attachment 24a – ATSDR PFAS Factsheet

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances (PFAS)

8/22/17

Frequently Asked Questions
What are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of
man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products
worldwide since the 1950s.
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PFAS do not occur naturally, but are widespread in the environment.
PFAS are found in people, wildlife and fish all over the world.
Some PFAS can stay in people’s bodies a long time.
Some PFAS do not break down easily in the environment.

How can I be exposed to PFAS?
PFAS contamination may be in drinking water, food, indoor dust, some consumer
products, and workplaces. Most non worker exposures occur through drinking
contaminated water or eating food that contains PFAS.
Although some types of PFAS are no longer used, some products may still contain PFAS:
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Food packaging materials
Nonstick cookware
Stain resistant carpet treatments
Water resistant clothing
Cleaning products
Paints, varnishes and sealants
Firefighting foam
Some cosmetics

How can I reduce my exposure to PFAS?
PFAS are present at low levels in some food products and in the environment (air, water, soil
etc.), so you probably cannot prevent PFAS exposure altogether. However, if you live near
known sources of PFAS contamination, you can take steps to reduce your risk of exposure.
•• If your drinking water contains PFAS above the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory,
consider using an alternative or treated water source for any activity in which you
might swallow water:
» drinking
» food preparation
» cooking
» brushing teeth, and
» preparing infant formula
•• Check for fish advisories for water bodies where you fish.
» Follow fish advisories that tell people to stop or limit eating fish from waters contaminated with
PFAS or other compounds.
» Research has shown the benefits of eating fish, so continue to eat fish from safe sources as part of
your healthy diet.
•• Read consumer product labels and avoid using those with PFAS.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Community Health Investigations
CS278160-E

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How can PFAS affect people’s health?
Some scientific studies suggest that certain PFAS may affect different systems in the body. NCEH/ATSDR is
working with various partners to better understand how exposure to PFAS might affect people’s health—
especially how exposure to PFAS in water and food may be harmful. Although more research is needed, some
studies in people have shown that certain PFAS may:
•• 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 and
•• increase the risk of cancer
At this time, scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposures to mixtures of PFAS.

How can I learn more?
You can visit the following websites for more information:
•• CDC/ATSDR:
»» CDC Info: https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/, or (800) 232-4636.
»» www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfc/index.html
»» https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/index.html
•• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/research-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
•• Food and Drug Administration:
https://www.fda.gov/food/newsevents/constituentupdates/ucm479465.htm
•• National Toxicology Program:
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/hat/noms/pfoa/index.html
If you have questions about the products you use in your home, please contact
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at (800) 638-2772.

List of Common PFAS and Their Abbreviations:
Abbreviation
PFOS
PFOA (or C8)
PFNA
PFDA
PFOSA (or FOSA)
MeFOSAA (aka Me-PFOSA-AcOH)
Et-FOSAA (aka Et-PFOSA-AcOH)
PFHxS

Chemical name
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
Perfluorooctanoic acid
Perfluorononanoic acid
Perfluorodecanoic acid
Perfluorooctane sulfonaminde
2-(N-Methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid
2-(N-Ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid

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