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PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of manufactured chemicals used for properties such as water, oil and grease resistance and heat resistance. They may be present in drinking water, food, some food packaging, nonstick cookware, treated fabrics and carpets, certain cosmetics and household dust. That does not mean every product in those categories contains PFAS, or that finding PFAS automatically means a person has had a harmful exposure.
What are PFAS?
PFAS is a collective name for a diverse group of manufactured chemicals, not a single substance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says they have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Their useful properties include repelling water and oil and resisting heat. Many PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment. PFOA and PFOS are among the best-studied members of the group; findings about them should not be assumed to apply equally to every PFAS. EPA overview of PFAS
Where can PFAS be found in everyday life?
PFAS may be found in environmental sources and in some treated products. These are possible locations, not a guarantee that every item in a category contains PFAS. ATSDR overview of PFAS and EPA information on PFAS
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- Drinking water: PFAS can enter water from contamination associated with production, waste streams or other sources. Local water conditions matter.
- Food: Food may be affected by environmental contamination. Examples include fish from contaminated waters and dairy from livestock exposed to PFAS, but this does not mean every food item contains detectable amounts.
- Household dust and air: PFAS can persist in the environment, and people may encounter them in dust or air.
Some household and personal-care products
- Water-repellent clothing and stain-resistant fabrics or carpets
- Some nonstick cookware
- Some cosmetics and personal-care products
- Some cleaning products, paints, varnishes and sealants
- Certain grease-, water- or oil-resistant food packaging
These examples describe categories where PFAS may occur; they are not claims that all current products of these types contain PFAS. ATSDR overview of PFAS and EPA information on PFAS
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How can people be exposed?
Exposure can happen by drinking or eating contaminated water or food, breathing air or dust, or touching materials that contain PFAS. For PFOA and PFOS, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says research suggests exposure from current consumer products is generally lower than exposure from contaminated drinking water. This is a relative comparison for those studied chemicals and common exposure contexts—not a universal ranking for every PFAS or every person. ATSDR on exposure to PFAS
Does finding PFAS mean a product is unsafe?
No. Detection or presence alone does not establish a meaningful exposure or health risk. Risk depends on factors including the PFAS involved and the nature and extent of exposure. Some PFAS exposures have been linked to adverse health effects, but evidence differs across this large chemical family. ATSDR notes: “Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposures to mixtures of different PFAS.” EPA overview of PFAS and ATSDR consumer information
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What FDA says about food packaging and food samples
The following details concern U.S. food-contact uses and FDA sampling; they should not be read as claims about all PFAS or all packaging.
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FDA says PFAS-containing grease-proofing agents used on paper and paperboard food packaging were no longer being sold into the U.S. market by February 2024. In January 2025, FDA announced that 35 related food-contact notifications were no longer effective after abandonment. This change concerns that specific grease-proofing use; it does not mean every PFAS use or food-contact application ended. FDA information on PFAS in food packaging
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Cookware and test results
FDA says certain PFAS-containing substances have authorized food-contact uses, including nonstick cookware coatings. The agency says polymerized nonstick coatings are tightly bound to cookware and studies indicate negligible PFAS capable of migrating to food. FDA identified potential migration and concern for the former paper and paperboard grease-proofing use instead. Very sensitive testing can detect PFAS in packaging because of contamination or impurities, while total-fluorine tests alone cannot distinguish PFAS from other fluorine-containing substances. FDA on PFAS in food-contact applications
FDA also reports that PFAS were not detected above the method detection limit in 1,290 of 1,352 fresh and processed food samples tested for its Total Diet Study. Separately, the agency detected PFAS in 10 of 197 bottled-water samples collected in 2023–2024; FDA said those detected levels did not exceed EPA public drinking-water maximum contaminant levels if found in public water. These are results for sampled products and methods, not proof that all food or bottled water is PFAS-free. FDA notes that uptake can depend on factors such as the PFAS type and food type. FDA PFAS food and bottled-water sampling
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What to do if you are concerned about PFAS in drinking water
- Check information from your local water supplier or state environmental or health agency for your area.
- If considering a home filter, verify the exact model in a certifier’s product directory and confirm that its certification specifically covers PFAS treatment, such as PFOA and PFOS.
- Do not assume a filter, pitcher or replacement cartridge removes PFAS unless the specific product and treatment claim have been verified. EPA guidance on PFAS and home water filters
General information about possible sources cannot determine an individual’s exposure or health status. Local water information and product-specific certification are more useful than assuming that every item in a broad product category contains PFAS.
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