PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

PFAS is an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are man-made substances that repel water, oil and stains. Two of the most common PFAS are perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Public exposure to PFAS has been an increasing concern because of multiple sites throughout the United States where PFAS-contaminated drinking water has been found, typically related to PFAS production facilities or fire training areas where aqueous film forming foam (firefighting foam) was used.

About PFOS and PFOA

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS Contamination and Testing in Washington State

• Washington State Department of Health Drinking Water PFAS Testing Results Data
• Washington State Department of Health PFAS Testing Results Dashboard
• Washington State Department of Ecology PFAS in West Plains private wells

PFOS and PFOA are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to produce stain-resistant, water-resistant and non-stick products. Use of some of these chemicals has decreased in the United States over the last 10 years. People can still be exposed to PFOS and PFOA because they are still present in the environment. PFOS and PFOA do not break down easily in the environment. They also build up in the bodies of exposed humans and some animals.

In 2019, CDC/ATSDR conducted exposure assessments in eight communities throughout the United States associated with current or former military sites where PFAS exposure occurred, including Airway Heights, where contamination had previously been identified in 2017. Learn more about the study here.

See Also

Washington State Department of Ecology PFAS in West Plains private wells