PFAS FAQs
What are PFAS?
PFAS refers to a group of man-made chemicals with bonds so strong and stable they do not break down in nature and are known as “forever chemicals.” Short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment and in the human body. There is still incomplete documentation about the environmental and public health impacts of PFAS; therefore, they are considered “emerging contaminants”.
Why are they a concern?
Many PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are a concern because they do not degrade in the environment, can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources, and can build up (biaccumulate) in fish and wildlife. Recent studies estimate greater than 47,000 tons of PFAS have been released from consumer products into the environment over the past six decades. A large number of those releases remain concentrated at or around contaminated sites. On Cape Cod, there are several locations where PFAS from firefighting foams have contaminated groundwater and waterways. PFAS have also been found at varying levels in shellfish, most notably in quahogs and blue crabs.
How can I minimize my exposure?
PFAS have been produced for over 60 years, but it is only in the last 20 years that their risk to human health has moved from suspect to recognized. People are exposed to PFAS in one of two ways. The first is when PFAS enters the environment at manufacturing or industrial sites, and finds its way to human consumption through drinking water or the food chain. Some PFAS with long carbon chain lengths, such as PFOS and PFOA, bioaccumulate in food webs, providing a pathway for human exposure when contaminated food is consumed. The second way people can be exposed is through direct use of consumer products that have been treated with PFAS chemicals, such as cookware with heat-, oil- and water-resistant coatings, and water- and fire-resistant clothing. High exposure can lead to various harmful human health effects including altered metabolic functions, liver toxicity and obesity. Long-term exposure can also impact fetal development and is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
People can minimize their exposure to PFAS by avoiding the following:
- Takeout containers such as pizza boxes and sandwich wrappers
- Non-stick pots, pans and utensils
- Popcorn bags
- Outdoor clothing
- Camping tents
- Stain-repellant or water-repellant clothing
- Stain treatments for clothing and furniture
- Carpeting and carpet treatments
- Certain cosmetics
Regulators have not set guidelines for acceptable PFAS levels in shellfish; however, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has set guidelines for levels of PFOS (one specific PFAS chemical) in fish. The guideline levels for fish consumption (up to 8 oz/day) were set at <0.50 ng/g for the general population, and <0.22 for sensitive populations (e.g. young children, pregnant women). Click HERE to view a complete Freshwater Fish Consumption Advisory List.