Nearly all people in the United States have measurable amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood. Your PFAS blood levels will tell you the amount of PFAS in your body.
People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. Because PFAS break down slowly, if at all, people and animals are repeatedly exposed to them, and blood levels of some PFAS can build up over time.
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.
Additionally, the consumption of eggs, coffee, and seafood was linked to higher concentrations of PFAS in the samples.
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.
Overall, PFAS chemicals were detected in 63% of bottled waters. There was no significant difference in PFAS levels between waters in glass or plastic containers, or between still and sparkling bottled waters, researchers said.
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.
The good news: More and more mainstream brands, such as H&M, Zara, and Levi Strauss & Co are producing affordable PFAS-free collections, but we love the below brands because they are both PFAS-free and sustainably made with organic materials.
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.
Importantly, even if the source of a person's exposure is completely removed, it will take years for the internal body burden (levels in the body) of many PFAS to be fully eliminated.
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.
Other types of common water treatment systems, such as water softeners or iron filtration systems, are not likely to remove PFAS. Boiling water will not remove PFAS. While many homes have whole-house water softening or iron filtration systems, sampling data indicate that those systems do NOT remove PFAS.
The lawsuit alleges that by writing on their labels that their filters “Reduce 3X contaminants,” Brita has falsely given consumers the impression that the filter removes “arsenic, chromium-6, nitrate and nitrites” and other chemicals, including PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” It does not mention misleading ...
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.
Refrigerator water filters reduce PFAS contaminants but do not remove them. These filters are designed to remove chlorine, taste, and odors from water. Consider a whole-home water filtration system if you're thinking about purchasing a water filter that removes PFAS from tap water.
The nanobubble ozone technology, or NBOT, coupled with ultraviolet (UV) light is now a U.S. patent protected process useful in destroying the forever chemicals, per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).
Research has found that those who generally eat diets higher in fresh fruits and vegetables may have lower PFAS blood levels. Produce requires less packaging and processing, reducing PFAS entry points. Eating less meat, especially red meat, is also advisable.
Because PFAS are so ubiquitous, trace amounts make their way into products without manufacturers intentionally adding them. Parchment paper and other food-grade paper products that contain fewer than 100 parts per million (ppm) of PFAS are generally considered to have no intentionally added PFAS.