What's My Exposure?

Compare your results with other communities

Across the U.S., a growing number of communities impacted by PFAS contamination have discovered elevated PFAS levels in their residents’ blood. Blood testing has been conducted by state and federal health agencies and by research institutions.

The graphs below show median (middle) blood PFAS levels for PFAS-impacted communities across the U.S. These communities were selected because their median PFAS level was higher than in the general U.S. population. Please note that communities are exposed to different mixtures of PFAS chemicals, and so not every community will be shown on every graph.

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)

The median blood level of PFOA in the general U.S. population is 1.57 μg/L (micrograms per liter). This bar graph shows median PFOA blood levels in communities with elevated PFOA exposures.

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)

The median blood level of PFOS in the general U.S. population is 4.7 μg/L (micrograms per liter). This bar graph shows median PFOS blood levels in communities with elevated PFOS exposures.

PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)

The median blood level of PFHxS in the general U.S. population is 1.2 μg/L (micrograms per liter). This bar graph shows median PFHxS blood levels in communities with elevated PFHxS exposures.

PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)

The median blood level of PFNA in the general U.S. population is 0.6 μg/L (micrograms per liter). This bar graph shows median PFNA blood levels in communities with elevated PFNA exposures.

More about your exposure report

This report shows how the levels of PFAS in your blood compare to typical Americans and to residents of communities in your state that have had elevated exposures from contaminated drinking water. Some graphs also show how your levels compare to a target human serum level. If your test results are below this level, health effects from PFAS are unlikely, based on studies of laboratory animals. If your test results are above this level, that does not necessarily mean that your health will be harmed by your PFAS exposure. Many health effects have been linked to PFAS exposures, and people with higher exposures are at greater risk for certain health outcomes. However, it is difficult to link a blood result to increased likelihood of any one type of disease. Scientists continue to learn more about the links between PFAS exposures and health outcomes. In particular, the health effects of many PFAS chemicals have not yet been studied, and the effects of common PFAS mixtures are also poorly understood.

Our team is developing resources for medical monitoring of potential health outcomes associated with PFAS exposure. Stay tuned for information about which conditions to monitor and how to talk to your doctor about your PFAS exposure.

What are the sources of PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of water-, heat-, and oil-resistant chemicals. There are currently more than 4,700 different PFAS chemicals on the global market, making them among the most ubiquitous synthetic chemicals in the world. They are found in a wide range of consumer products including stain-resistant carpets and upholstery, waterproof clothing, floor waxes, nonstick cookware, greaseproof food packaging, and even some dental floss. They are also found in certain firefighting foams that are commonly used at military bases, airports, and other fire training areas. Potential sources of PFAS into the environment include firefighting foams, industrial discharges, wastewater from homes and businesses, landfills, and land disposal of sewage sludge.

What does my PFAS level mean for my health?

Higher exposure to certain PFAS chemicals has been linked with a number of health effects. Some of these effects may occur at levels typically found in the general population. Whether PFAS exposure affects a person’s health also depends on their age, diet, genes, and other factors. The same level of exposure to PFAS might cause disease in one person but not another.

To help doctors care for patients exposed to PFAS, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a panel of medical and scientific experts to provide recommendations for health screenings based on people’s PFAS blood levels. For people with PFAS blood levels between 2 and 20 μg/L, the report recommended prioritizing certain health screenings that are already part of routine preventative care. For people with PFAS blood levels above 20 μg/L, the report recommended additional screenings for certain diseases linked to PFAS exposure. If you are concerned about your PFAS exposure or have PFAS blood levels above 20 μg/L, consider bringing this information to your doctor during your next visit.

Below is a summary table of the screening recommendations developed by the National Academies. You can find a more detailed version of these recommendations in the National Academies report.

If your PFAS blood level is...	Then...	National Academies recommended screening
Less than 2 μg/L	PFAS-related health effects are unlikely.	None
Between 2 to 20 μg/L	PFAS-related health effects are possible.	Routine preventative care (e.g., screenings at your annual physical)
Greater than 20 μg/L	You have increased risk of PFAS-related health effects.	Routine preventative care and additional screening for high cholesterol, thyroid function, kidney and testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis

How are PFAS regulated in drinking water?

Currently, there are no federal drinking water standards for any PFAS chemicals. This means that public water supplies do not have to test or treat their water for PFAS under federal law. The EPA has issued a non-enforceable guideline for two of the most common PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA. Some states have issued health guidelines that are stricter than the EPA guideline, and some states have proposed or established enforceable standards. For more information about drinking water guidelines, read the fact sheet in our Resources center. And for up-to-date information on the rapidly changing landscape of state guidelines and standards, check out the Safer States bill tracker.

Why are PFAS a health concern?

Over 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood. Because of their strong chemical bonds, the synthetic chemicals persist in our bodies and in the environment and don’t break down easily. Some PFAS chemicals are difficult to excrete and can stay in the body for years. Because of their persistence and because exposures are so widespread, scientists are concerned about potential health impacts.

Studies in animals and humans have linked exposure to PFAS with numerous health effects including high cholesterol, liver damage, decreased vaccine response in children, various cancers (testicular, kidney, liver, and pancreatic), delayed mammary gland development, thyroid disruption, and effects on growth and development. PFOA and PFOS are the two most well-studied PFAS chemicals. However, new research suggests other types of PFAS have similar health effects. Scientists' understanding of PFAS is expanding rapidly as these chemicals are the target of significant new research and regulation.

How can I reduce my exposure to PFAS and protect my drinking water?

Treat your water

If your water has elevated levels of PFAS, you may want to consider home water treatment. There are two types of common home water treatment systems that can remove PFAS from drinking water. Activated carbon filters are effective at removing PFOA, PFOS, and some other PFAS chemicals. Activated carbon systems include solid carbon block filters (typically a filter under your sink) and granular activated carbon filters (as in a filter pitcher). Another option is a reverse osmosis system, which can remove a wider range of PFAS chemicals. However, reverse osmosis is the more expensive option and produces a significant amount of waste water. When choosing a filtering system, look for one that is NSF P473 certified, or meets the NSF/ANSI 53 standard for activated carbon filters and the NSF/ANSI 58 standard for reverse osmosis. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and replace the cartridges or membranes as recommended.

Avoid products with PFAS

In addition to treating your water, there are steps you can take to limit your personal exposure to PFAS at home and work. Understanding what kinds of products contain PFAS can help you learn how to avoid them.

Common sources of PFAS in consumer products include:

• Greaseproof food packaging
• Stain-resistant carpeting and furniture
• Waterproof apparel
• Wrinkle-free clothing
• Glide dental floss
• Non-stick cookware
• Ski waxes

Common sources of PFAS at work include:

• Manufacturing and production of PFAS-containing consumer products
• Plating facilities in auto manufacturing
• Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)
• Firefighter turnout gear
• Floor waxes

Get involved and stay educated

There are also steps you can take at the community level to prevent PFAS from ending up in our environment in the first place. Ask your elected officials to support legislative action on PFAS—restrictions on PFAS in consumer products and remediation of contaminated sites. Let retailers know that want products made without PFAS. Encourage your workplace or local government to adopt policies on avoiding harmful chemicals in their purchasing.

Read more about how to reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals at home and in your community by visiting our Resources page. Connect with others in your community who are advocating to protect drinking water using our Community Map tool.