PFAS: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

• What are Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances?
• What are the Major Uses of PFAS?
• Why Should We Be Concerned About PFAS?
• What are the Major Routes of Exposure to PFAS?
• What Can You Do to Minimize Exposure to PFAS?
• What About PFAS in Public Water Systems?
• Where Can I Submit Samples for PFAS Testing in Georgia?
• Removal of PFAS From Drinking Water
• What Do We Know About the Occurrence of PFAS in Georgia?
• Where Can I Get More Information About PFAS?

What are Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of more than 9,000 synthetic (human-made) chemicals that have been in use worldwide since 1940, primarily in industry and numerous commercial and consumer products.

Here is a list of some common PFAS and their abbreviations (Abbreviation: Chemical Name)

PFOS: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid

PFOA (or C8): Perfluorooctanoic acid

PFNA: Perfluorononanoic acid

PFDeA (or PDFA): Perfluorodecanoic acid

PFOSA (or FOSA): Perfluorooctane sulfonamide

PFHpA: Perfluoroheptanoic acid

MeFOSAA (or Me-PFOSA-AcOH): 2-(N-Methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid

Et-FOSAA (or Et-PFOSA-AcOH): 2-(N-Ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid

PFHxS: Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid

HFPO-DA (also known by the trade name GenX chemicals): Hexafluoropropylene Oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid

Among the thousands of individual PFAS, the two that are most well-known and studied are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

What are the Major Uses of PFAS?

Some unique properties of PFAS—like remarkable stability, water and oil repellency, and heat resistance—have led to their extensive use in various industrial and consumer applications. Although some types of PFAS are no longer used, many products may still contain PFAS:

• food packaging materials (e.g., microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes)
• nonstick cookware [polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)]
• stain-resistant carpet treatments
• water-resistant clothing
• cleaning products
• paints, varnishes, and sealants
• firefighting foam
• some cosmetics
• some dental floss

Why Should We Be Concerned About PFAS?

The widespread use of PFAS for the past several decades has raised concerns because of their persistence, tendency to accumulate in living organisms, and potential adverse health effects.

Here are a few important points:

• The widespread occurrence of PFAS in the environment  (soil, water, air, etc.) worldwide—including remote regions like the Arctic—is now well-established.
• Many PFAS are highly resistant to degradation or breakdown and persist in the environment for unusually long periods; they are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.”
• The existence of PFAS in humans, wildlife, and fish has been reported worldwide.
• PFAS are bioaccumulative, meaning our bodies accumulate more PFAS than expelled or excreted, so much higher levels are detected in people and wildlife rather than in food/feed, soil, air, and water.
• Some PFAS can stay in the human body for a lifetime.
• Certain PFAS are known to cause various adverse health effects on humans and wildlife.

What are the Major Routes of Exposure to PFAS?

PFAS contamination may be found in drinking water, food, indoor dust, some consumer products, and workplaces. Certain populations may face elevated exposure risks, such as individuals living near industrial sites or military bases where PFAS-containing firefighting foams were used.

What Can You Do to Minimize Exposure to PFAS?

Avoid using nonstick cookware or use it safely (e.g., avoid high heat and scratches).

• Choose products made of PFAS-free materials certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice program (https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice).
• Support policies and efforts prioritizing PFAS reduction and sustainability.

Learn what you can about PFAS from many different reliable sources (see the References section) and take actions that best fit your situation. If you have questions about the products you use in your home, you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772.

What About PFAS in Public Water Systems?

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS, which sets limits for five individual PFAS and a hazard index level for mixtures of two or more of four different PFAS (see Table 1).

Where Can I Submit Samples for PFAS Testing in Georgia?

As of this publication’s date, the University of Georgia Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories (https://aesl.ces.uga.edu) is not equipped for testing PFAS. However, several accredited private laboratories in Georgia offer this testing service.

For a referral to these private laboratories, reach out to your county agent, call 1-800-ASK-UGA1 (1-800-275-8421) or 706-542-5350, or email your request to soiltest@uga.edu.

Removal of PFAS From Drinking Water

The EPA recommended several water treatment technologies to remove or reduce the six PFAS known to occur in drinking water, namely PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA. These water treatment technologies include granular activated carbon (GAC), anion exchange resins, reverse osmosis (RO), and nanofiltration. PFAS filters can be for point of use (i.e., at the point water is used, such as a faucet) or point of entry (i.e., a unit that filters all water entering your home).

Make sure a GAC filter has been certified to meet the NSF/ANSI Standard 53 and an RO filter has been certified to meet the NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for reduction of total PFAS as well as individual PFAS (namely PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFHpA). However, using a certified filter does not completely ensure it will work as claimed for PFAS reduction or removal. Testing your treated water after installing a filter can help verify that PFAS are reduced to levels below their respective MCLs. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guide for the continued effectiveness of the filter over time.

What Do We Know About the Occurrence of PFAS in Georgia?

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has actively monitored some common PFAS in both public water systems and surface waters. The first comprehensive monitoring effort that addressed levels of PFAS in public water systems throughout Georgia occurred during 2013–2015, which included testing for PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS. Georgia EPD continued its survey of drinking water PFAS levels during 2021–2023, and there is an ongoing survey for 2023–2025.

For most public water systems sampled in Georgia, the levels were acceptable (below MCL) for the three PFAS surveyed, although some systems throughout the state exceeded EPA-established MCLs for PFOA and PFOS. The Georgia EPD also has been assessing surface waters since 2012 to determine the extent of potential PFAS contamination.

The results of all of these monitoring efforts are being presented on maps on a publicly available website (https://gaepd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e8f2c6a51c1c41088002350f1eabe598).

Visit Georgia EPD’s website (https://epd.georgia.gov/pfas-information) for general information about PFAS in Georgia.

Where Can I Get More Information About PFAS?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• CDC-info resources website (https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/) or call 800-232-4636
• PFAS and Your Health (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html)
• National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/index.html)

U.S. EPA:

• Research on PFAS (https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/research-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Environmental Contaminants in Food — PFAS (https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas)

National Toxicology Program:

• Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to PFOA or PFOS (https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/hat/noms/pfoa/index.html)

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2017). Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Frequently asked questions (Publication No. CS278160-E). Centers for Disease Control. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_fact_sheet.pdf

European Chemicals Agency. (n.d.). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas

Grandjean, P., & Clapp, R. (2019). Perfluorinated alkyl substances: Emerging insights into health risks. New Solutions, 29(3), 237–251. https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291115590506

Hu, X. C., Andrews, D. Q., Lindstrom, A. B., Bruton, T. A., Schaider, L. A., Grandjean, P., Lohmann, R., Carignan, C. C., Blum, A., Balan, S. A., Higgins, C. P., & Sunderland, E. M. (2016). Detection of poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in U.S. drinking water linked to industrial sites, military fire training areas, and wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 3(10), 344–350. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00260

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). PFAS in drinking water for private residential well owners. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/PFAS-Response/Health/Fact-Sheet-PFAS-Drinking-Water.pdf

National Toxicology Program. (2024, April 4). Immunotoxicity associated with exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/749926

U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. https://www.energy.gov/pfas/pfas-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). EPA’s proposal to limit PFAS in drinking water, March 2023 [Fact sheet]. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/Fact%20Sheet_PFAS_NPWDR_Final_4.4.23.pdf

U.S. EPA. (2024). PFAS national primary drinking water regulation (Fact sheet). https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_general_4.9.24v1.pdf

Status and Revision History
In Review on May 22, 2024
Published on May 23, 2024