EmpowerDX (part of Eurofins) offers a finger-prick tool that allows you to collect a sample at home and will test your whole blood. Note that if PFAS levels in your blood are low, this test may be less likely to detect the PFAS.
No, these at-home PFAS test kits are not accurate. I've been testing drinking water for PFAS since 2021, working with certified labs, and I can tell you with confidence that the level of accuracy these kits claim is simply not possible outside a controlled lab environment.
PFAS are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. They are excreted through urine, menstrual blood, breast milk, and stool but not through sweat. Most of the detoxification is through the liver, though mechanisms are unclear.
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 have been exposed to PFAS and are concerned about your health, you can talk to your health care provider.
Testing costs vary from laboratory to laboratory and may typically range from approximately $300 to $600 per sample. To have your water tested for PFAS, contact your state for a list of laboratories that are certified to test for PFAS using EPA Method 537.
In some cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of PFAS testing but the lab options may be limited. You can talk with your doctor's office or health insurance provider to determine what steps are needed for the cost of the test to be covered.
For example, PFAS are not regulated in bottled water, and recent testing by academic researchers indicated that several brands were contaminated with these chemicals.
PFAS blood testing can inform you about the amount of PFAS in your blood. PFAS can be found in the blood of most people around the world.
For our 2022 targeted seafood survey, we detected PFAS in 74% (60 out of 81) of the samples of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, and tuna, although the majority of these contained PFAS at a level that were not determined to be a health concern.
The human body does get rid of PFAS after a while.
The studies indicate folate has some ability to reduce the accumulation of PFAS in blood serum, thus minimizing adverse generational effects. Folate, or folic acid, is a B vitamin found in many foods.
Are Brita Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS? Yes, the Brita Elite Filter is certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to reduce perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—specifically PFOS and PFOA—in drinking water. The Standard Brita filter is not certified for the removal of PFOS or PFOA.
Filters containing activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes have been shown to be effective at removing PFAS from water supplies. All water treatment units require regular maintenance to work properly. Water treatment units that are not properly maintained will lose their effectiveness over time.
Over time, our bodies can naturally eliminate PFAS mostly through urine, but the rate of elimination is slow and varies depending on the specific type of PFAS. Some studies suggest that it can take several years for the body to eliminate certain types of PFAS.
PFAS have been found in a wide array of consumer and institutional products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpet and furniture, waterproof clothing, compostable food service ware, firefighting foam, refrigerants, artificial turf, building materials, and more.
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Additionally, the consumption of eggs, coffee, and seafood was linked to higher concentrations of PFAS in the samples.
Yes, LaCroix, and many other sparkling water brands—such as Topo Chico, Perrier and Polar—contain PFAS. A 2020 Consumer Reports test shows a variety of canned and bottled water sources are contaminated by PFAS, many of which are considered to be at unsafe levels.
Bottled water industry testing and standards
While not required by FDA, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) requires its members to test for 18 PFAS substances in all the products they sell.
The independent C8 Science Panel has linked C8 exposure to cancer and other serious diseases. The C8 class action settlement entitles you to request a free C8 blood test AND free doctor's visit for medical testing to detect serious diseases that might be caused by your C8 exposure.
Take action. You can avoid the most obvious offenders by replacing nonstick pans with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramic alternatives. Also, don't heat up food that's wrapped in grease-resistant packaging. And make popcorn on the stovetop instead of in PFAS-treated microwave bags.
Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water has no PFAS in any of its products, including its sparkling and non-carbonated water. In fact, Waiākea is one of few bottled water brands to have no detectable (ND) levels of PFAS in its still or sparkling water.
Can Boiling Water Remove PFAS? No, boiling water does not remove PFOS. In fact, it can concentrate these chemicals as the water evaporates.