Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

¨     Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals that do not easily break down in the environment or in the human body.

¨     A study published in April 2026 in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene found PFAS in 98.8% of 10,566 human blood samples tested in the United States.

¨     PFAS are fluorinated organic compounds widely used in industrial and consumer products due to their carbon-fluorine bonds, which provide high thermal stability and resistance to water, oil, and stains.

¨     PFHxS (Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid) is one such PFAS compound commonly used in textiles, furniture, and adhesives.

¨     The study analyzed serum and plasma samples and found that 98.5% of samples contained multiple PFAS compounds, while only 0.18% had a single PFAS chemical.

¨     More than 70 unique PFAS combinations were identified across the tested samples.

¨     Human exposure to PFAS occurs through contaminated drinking water, food packaging, household products, and occupational contact.

¨   Previous research has linked certain PFAS chemicals to serious health risks, including kidney and testicular cancers, liver damage, immune system suppression, and reproductive and developmental issues.