The overlooked danger beneath the surface
When it comes to environmental pollutants, few compounds are as persistent—and as quietly destructive—as PFAS. Known as « forever chemicals » because of their resistance to degradation, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have seeped into our water, soil, food chain, and ultimately, into our bodies. But what exactly do they do once they’re there? And just how far-reaching is their impact over time?
This article explores how long-term exposure to PFAS affects human health and the environment, and why understanding these effects is critical for shaping effective public health and environmental policies.
What are PFAS and where do we encounter them?
PFAS are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in products designed to resist heat, oil, stains, and water. Think of non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and even some fast-food wrappers. Highly stable chemically, PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment—or in our bodies.
Because of their widespread use and mobility, PFAS are now found in:
- Drinking water supplies across the globe
- Soil and sediment near industrial sites
- Wildlife tissues, including fish and birds
- Human blood, even in people with no known direct exposure
How PFAS accumulate in the human body
The body doesn’t easily expel PFAS. Once ingested—through water, food, or dust—PFAS bind to proteins in the blood, liver, and kidneys. They can linger in the body for years, gradually accumulating with each new exposure. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 97% of Americans have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood—a staggering figure that signals an almost universal exposure.
Unlike contaminants that are metabolized and excreted relatively quickly, PFAS become long-term residents in our physiology. Over time, this bioaccumulation sets the stage for a host of health risks.
The health impacts of PFAS exposure: what does the science say?
If you’re wondering what PFAS actually do inside the body, the short answer is: quite a lot, and none of it good. A growing body of peer-reviewed studies links chronic PFAS exposure to a wide range of health issues. These include:
- Hormonal disruption: PFAS interfere with endocrine function, potentially impacting thyroid hormones and reproductive health.
- Cancer: Studies from the C8 Health Project and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have linked certain PFAS, like PFOA, to kidney and testicular cancer.
- Liver damage: Elevated liver enzymes and fatty liver disease are increasingly associated with PFAS exposure, especially PFOS and PFHxS.
- Immune system suppression: Reduced vaccine response in children and increased susceptibility to infections have been documented even at low exposure levels.
- Developmental delays in children: Prenatal and early childhood exposure may result in lower birth weights, delayed puberty, and cognitive effects.
It’s important to note that most studies focus on legacy PFAS like PFOA and PFOS, which have largely been phased out in the U.S. and EU. However, newer replacements—like GenX chemicals—are showing similarly concerning health effects, despite being marketed as safer alternatives.
PFAS and the environment: a long-term liability
PFAS contamination isn’t just a public health concern—it’s an ecological time bomb. Once released into the environment, PFAS infiltrate aquatic systems, leach into soil, and spread through atmospheric deposition. Their resistance to breakdown means they persist in ecosystems indefinitely.
In water systems, PFAS accumulate in aquatic organisms. A 2022 study found high concentrations of PFAS in freshwater fish in the U.S., raising alarms about bioaccumulation through the food chain. In soil, PFAS can inhibit plant growth and reduce microbial biodiversity, subtly undermining ecosystem stability over time.
It’s a sobering reality: even remote regions like the Arctic are now testing positive for PFAS, carried by air currents and ocean circulation. In that sense, PFAS pollution has gone global. And while the contamination may not be visible to the naked eye, its consequences are anything but invisible.
Generational exposure: a hidden legacy
One of the more unsettling aspects of PFAS is their ability to pass from one generation to the next. Studies have confirmed that PFAS cross the placental barrier and are present in breast milk. This means that exposure can begin in utero and continue throughout early development—periods when the body is particularly vulnerable to toxic insults.
In communities living near PFAS manufacturing plants or fire training sites, multi-generational exposure is now being documented. In the town of Oakey, Australia, residents have reported a range of illnesses spanning decades. Blood tests have revealed PFAS levels several times higher than the average. The health and legal ramifications are only beginning to unfold.
A compounding problem: PFAS mixtures
Think of PFAS not as a single enemy, but as an entire army. People are rarely exposed to just one PFAS at a time. They’re exposed to mixtures—sometimes dozens—even hundreds—of different PFAS compounds at once. Unfortunately, toxicology studies often focus on individual chemicals, underestimating the real-world risk of combined exposures.
This cocktail effect complicates regulation and risk assessment. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives emphasized that some PFAS exhibit synergistic toxicity, potentially amplifying harm when present together. Yet, most current safety thresholds are based on single-compound studies. That’s like assessing the threat of a flood by studying one wave.
Are regulations catching up?
Governments are beginning to act, but the regulatory landscape remains uneven and patchy. In 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed enforceable limits for six major PFAS compounds in drinking water. Several European countries are pushing for a total ban on all PFAS under REACH, the EU’s chemical safety framework.
However, enforcement is complicated by industrial pushback, scientific uncertainty about thousands of PFAS variants, and the lack of standardized testing methods for newer compounds. Moreover, PFAS production hasn’t ceased worldwide—companies have simply shifted to countries with looser regulations, continuing the cycle of pollution.
What can individuals and communities do?
While systemic regulation is essential, there are proactive steps individuals can take to reduce PFAS exposure:
- Use water filters certified to remove PFAS, such as those with activated carbon or reverse osmosis.
- Avoid non-stick cookware made with PTFE or PFOA.
- Limit consumption of fast food and microwave popcorn, which often come in PFAS-treated packaging.
- Support community testing and push local governments for transparency in water quality reports.
Some communities have taken their fate into their own hands. In North Carolina, for instance, Cape Fear River Watch has spearheaded efforts to monitor water quality and hold polluters accountable, leading to fines and stricter permitting for local industries.
The long road ahead
PFAS may be invisible, but their impact is not. From hormonal disruption and immune dysfunction to contaminated rivers and poisoned fish, these chemicals pose a dual threat to health and environment. And because they accumulate so insidiously, the true cost of inaction will only become clearer with time—perhaps when it’s too late to reverse the damage.
Yet, awareness is growing. Researchers, regulators, and concerned citizens alike are asking tougher questions, demanding better protections, and working toward filtering PFAS not just from our water, but from our daily lives altogether. The fight against PFAS may be uphill, but it’s one we can’t afford to abandon.