Chemicals: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances

Notes:

• All numbers are shown as nanograms of PFAS per liter of water (ng/L). This is equal to parts per trillion.
• DHS recommends a combined standard of 20 ng/L for PFOA, PFOS, FOSA, NEtFOSA, NEtFOSAA, and NEtFOSE.

Learn more about these recommendations:

• Groundwater Standard Recommendations (Cycle 10)
• Recommended Groundwater Standards (Cycle 11)

We also use a hazard index approach to assess the risk from mixtures of PFAS. This approach accounts for many types of PFAS that cause similar health effects when they are found together. This video explains more about the hazard index. If the hazard index is equal to or more than one, the water may pose a health risk.

View the PFAS Hazard Index video in Spanish.

View the PFAS Hazard Index video in Hmong.

Research studies among humans have looked at a possible link between PFAS levels in the blood and harmful health effects. However, most studies have analyzed only a small number of chemicals. Not all PFAS have the same health effects. Research suggests that high levels of some PFAS may:

• Increase cholesterol levels.
• Decrease how well the body responds to vaccines.
• Increase the risk of thyroid disease.
• Decrease fertility in women.
• Increase the risk of serious conditions like high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
• Lower infant birth weights (the decrease in weight is small and may not affect health).

Most people in the U.S. have PFAS in their blood. PFAS levels are similar to low levels of other contaminants in the blood like flame retardants and plasticizers. You can have a PFAS blood test to check your levels. However, there isn’t enough research to know at what PFAS levels you should expect health problems.

If you do not live near a site of environmental contamination, it is unlikely that PFAS are a problem in your drinking water. However, if you live near a site of PFAS contamination, you should connect with your local municipality and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to learn about available resources, including testing. To find out whether you live near a PFAS site, view this map.

If you have tested for and found PFAS in your drinking water, view this fact sheet, P-03212, and online PFAS Assessment Tool. This tool can help you evaluate the health risk from PFAS in your drinking water and determine whether you need a safer water source.

View Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water, P-03012. Use a water source that has safe levels of PFAS for:

• Drinking.
• Making foods that take up a lot of water, such as oatmeal, soup, or rice.
• Mixing drinks, such as infant formula.

Safe water sources may include:

• Bottled water that has been purified or filtered.
• Water from a treatment system certified by ANSI/NSF Standards 53 or 58 to reduce PFAS.
• Water from a source that has been tested for PFAS and doesn’t contain PFAS above the recommended standards.

You can use your tap water for doing laundry, washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or filling your swimming pool. To lower the chance of drinking small amounts of PFAS, remind swimmers not to swallow pool water.

View PFAS and Backyard Gardening, P-03111. It explains more about plant uptake of PFAS. It also has ways to reduce PFAS exposure if you garden in areas with known or suspected contamination.

View Eating Your Catch—Making Health Choices from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Follow the guidelines that are in place where you fish to lower possible health risks. These risks come from common chemicals that harm fish, such as polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury. They also come from PFAS.

PFAS don’t easily enter the body through the skin. This means it’s usually okay to swim in surface water—which includes lakes, rivers, and ponds—even if it has PFAS. There are still important ways to avoid swallowing PFAS by accident:

• Keep water out of your mouth—If water gets in your mouth, don’t swallow it. Besides PFAS, surface water can have algae, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. They can pose a health risk for people and pets if they swallow them.
• Avoid foam—Kids and pets should avoid foam since they are more likely to swallow it by accident. Foam found in surface water can come from natural causes, pollution, or both. Natural foams can have algae, bacteria, parasites, and decaying organic matter. Pollution foams can have chemical contaminants, such as PFAS.
• Shower after swimming—Rinse off after swimming or touching surface water. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching food.
• Rinse your pets—Don’t forget to clean your pets after they swim in surface water. Don’t let them lick foam or algae off their fur.

Soil that has PFAS can come into your home from the outside. Dust also can have PFAS from common household products. Examples include stain-resistant carpeting or clothing that repels water. Vacuuming using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter reduces the amount of dirt and dust in your house.

Consumer products that may have PFAS include:

• Cleaning products.
• Nonstick cookware.
• Paints, varnishes, and sealants. Follow directions carefully for safe use of these products.
• Personal care products like shampoo or floss and cosmetics like nail polish and eye makeup.
• Some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers or wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.
• Stain-resistant coatings on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics.
• Water-resistant clothes.

There have been recent federal efforts to remove PFAS from consumer products. These efforts have decreased how many people are exposed to PFAS from these products. However, some products still have PFAS.