While consumer products using PFAS-type chemicals started being sold in the 1940s, the harm caused by these substances was not broadly realized until 1998. The technical name of this group of chemicals is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Their heat- and stain-resistant properties proved so useful that they have been used in hundreds of products. These products range from non-stick pans to stain-resistant carpets. They are so widespread that nearly every American has some level of PFAS in their blood.
By 1998, lawsuits started being filed against corporations that produced these chemicals that are now associated with serious harm to human health. Over the next 20 years, nearly 13,000 lawsuits were filed against companies like 3M, DuPont, Chemours and Tyco. Current research shows that PFAS chemicals are now present in practically every household in America, even in areas far off the beaten path.
Health Problems Caused by PFAS
Research has linked PFAS exposure to a long list of serious health concerns. These risks are compounded by the fact that PFAS accumulate in the body. Even low levels of exposure, if ongoing, can increase health risks over time. These risks include:
- Digestive cancers and other gastrointestinal illnesses
- Endocrine disruption affecting hormone regulation
- Respiratory and throat cancers
- Oral cancers and related complications
- Elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risks
- Liver damage that reduces the body’s ability to detoxify
- Thyroid disease affecting energy and metabolism
Because these chemicals don’t easily break down into harmless substances, it’s hard to get them out of the environment and human bodies. Some of the more than 10,000 PFAS chemicals take centuries to break down. PFOA, used in non-stick cookware, can last up to four years in the body and decades in the environment. PFOS, used in stain repellants, can last five years or more in the body and also decades in the environment. PFTeDA, used in cosmetics and detergents, can last hundreds of years in the environment. For this reason, PFAS are known as “forever chemicals.”
Preventing Exposure to PFAS
No one wants these chemicals in their drinking water. However, in 2025, the PFAS Project Lab estimated that more than 80,000 water sources were contaminated with PFAS. That was in addition to more than 2,000 tested sites that had higher rates of PFAS contamination than the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA estimates that more than 172 million Americans are being exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis.
Contaminated sites exist all over the country, which makes it very difficult to avoid exposure. Both private well owners and those served by municipal systems may need to find ways to prevent exposure to these toxins. Public water systems are tested and monitored for these chemicals, but private wells are not regulated. If PFAS have reached groundwater in your area, the responsibility for detection and treatment rests with the homeowner.
The Importance of Testing Your Water for PFAS
PFAS cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste. A glass of contaminated water may appear perfectly clear. Unlike bacterial contamination, which can cause immediate symptoms, PFAS exposure is silent and long-term. The only way to know whether your water is affected is by consulting a professional water testing lab.
A test for PFAS chemicals can tell you if you need to filter out these toxic substances. You could use bottled water as an alternative source of drinking water; however, this option exposes your family members to microplastics that can also have a harmful effect on health. Installing the right filtration system can greatly reduce or eliminate either threat. Before designing or purchasing a filtration system, you need to know what toxins need to be removed from your water.
ETR Laboratories Can Help with Fast, Accurate Tests
The scientists at ETR Laboratories have created an 18-compound PFAS test to help homeowners protect their families from this substance. Tens of thousands of homeowners, businesses and municipal water systems have trusted ETR Laboratories to provide accurate test results. When you want to know exactly what is in your water, count on ETR Laboratories. If you are concerned about PFAS chemicals, order the PFAS/PFOA test today.
