The Global Impact of PFAS Pollution [Visual]

PFAS pose a threat to our health and the well-being of our environment. The best way to reduce your exposure is to understand where PFAS originate, how they spread and what products contain them.

According to the Environmental Working Group, more than 200 million Americans could be exposed to drinking water with unsafe levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

While PFAS are all around us, not many people know the risks of exposure. Use this guide to learn what products commonly contain PFAS and how you can limit your exposure to them.

3 minutes

Per- and polyfluorinated substances, synthetic chemicals linked to cancer, are commonly used in waterproofing and as nonstick coatings. PFAS contamination of water and soil pose serious health risks. While these “forever chemicals” are pervasive, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure.

Learn more about PFAS and tips to protect yourself from exposure with the infographic below:

The Global Impact of PFAS Pollution [Visual] | ecogreenlove

Forever Chemicals, Lasting Consequences
The Global Impact of PFAS Pollution

WHAT ARE PFAS?

Also known as "forever chemicals", these synthetic chemicals are commonly found in products like water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and nonstick cookware.

PFAS exposure is linked to health problems such as cancer and immune system dysfunction.

PFAS HEALTH RISKS:

• Thyroid disease
• Hormone suppression
• Decreased fertility
• Ulcerative colitis
• Reduced vaccine response
• Cancer
• Liver damage
• High cholesterol

HOW DO PFAS SPREAD?

• Landfills
• Fire training sites
• Industrial sites

PFAS have been used for cleaning products, firefighting foams and manufacturing purposes since the 1900s. This means PFAS contamination occurs wherever these products are used or discarded.

The CDC found that 97% of Americans had significant levels of PFAS present in their blood samples.

PRODUCTS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF PFAS

• Nonstick cookware
• Water-resistant fabrics
• Cosmetic products
• Firefighting foams
• Fast-food packaging
• Paints and sealants

HOW DO PFAS IMPACT FRESHWATER FISH?

Research from the Environmental Research journal suggests that eating one serving of fish can equate to drinking about a month's worth of PFAS contaminated water.

3 TIPS TO LOWER YOUR PFAS EXPOSURE

1. Test and filter Water
Check online to see if your area has high PFAS water contamination. If so, invest in a high-quality water filter.

If you get water from an untested well, have a private lab test its water quality.

2. Check product labels
Reduce your use of cosmetics such as nail polish and lipsticks that contain PFAS and avoid buying stain- or water-resistant products.

Avoid products with "perfluoro" and "fluoro" in their ingredientes.

3. Follow food safety guidelines
Cook your own meals at home to avoid high levels of PFAS often found in fast food, restaurants and prepackaged food.

Use a cast-iron skillet to avoid PFAS associated with nonstick cookware.

Visual by Consumer Notice — Visual by Consumer Notice

Are You Exposed to PFAS?

Since PFAS are manufactured at large scales and don’t break down for thousands of years, you’ve likely been exposed. CDC research in 2012 found PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA in 97% of American blood samples tested.

These forever chemicals are widespread in the air, soil and water. You could be exposed when eating food grown in PFAS-contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or breathing contaminated air.

PFAS pose a threat to our health and the well-being of our environment. The best way to reduce your exposure is to understand where PFAS originate, how they spread and what products contain them.

PFAS in Commercial Products

While the use of PFOS and PFOA is regulated in commercial products, other PFAS are being created to replace them. These products can leach chemicals and be ingested. PFAS products in landfills and factories producing PFAS products can contaminate nearby air, water and soil.

PFAS are commonly used as a repellent for grease or water. Their anti-grease properties make using PFAS as a coating popular on nonstick pans, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags and kitchen utensils such as spatulas. As a water repellent, PFAS are used in athleisure wear, raincoats and car upholstery, for example.

Here’s a breakdown of a few common products that contain PFAS:

Cleaning products
Cosmetic Products
Fast-Food Packaging
Firefighting Foams
Nonstick Cookware
Paints and Sealants
Water-resistant Fabrics
Drinking Water
PFAS are one of many sources of water contamination in the U.S. In 2019, the EWG tested levels of PFAS in tap water in locations across 31 states. All but one location tested were contaminated with PFAS. All but two of those remaining locations had PFAS levels high enough to be linked to health risks.
Freshwater Fish
Recent research from the scientific journal Environmental Research found that PFAS have contaminated freshwater fish across the U.S. in large quantities. In a serving of fish, an average of 48 parts per trillion of PFAS were detected. This means that eating one serving of fish equates to drinking about a month’s worth of contaminated water.

Ways To Protect Yourself

It can be difficult to avoid PFAS. Knowing what to look for on product labels and learning as much as possible about the quality of your drinking water can help you reduce your PFAS exposure.

Test and Filter Water
Check Product Labels
Follow Food Safety Guidelines
Support PFAS-Free Alternatives

What Are the Health and Environmental Risks?

PFAS don’t just impact humans — they’ve spread to wildlife, our soil and even polluted the air. EWG research found PFAS in 330 animal species across the world, including endangered species such as tigers and pandas. Recent research suggests that PFAS could have similar health impacts on animals and humans.

Current research links exposure to PFAS with potential health effects such as: