PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called "forever chemicals," are a large group of manufactured chemicals that resist heat, water, and grease. Because they break down very slowly, PFAS can persist in the environment and accumulate in people over time through drinking water, food, workplaces, and certain consumer products. Researchers continue studying whether long-term PFAS exposure may be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and other health conditions.
Learn more about serious illnesses that researchers have studied in connection with PFAS exposure:
PFAS exposure can occur in many different ways because these chemicals have been widely used in consumer products, manufacturing, firefighting foam, and industrial processes for decades. While most people have measurable PFAS in their blood, the amount, duration, and source of exposure vary considerably. Researchers continue studying why some individuals experience higher cumulative exposure and whether certain populations face greater health risks.
PFAS have been used in thousands of products. Depending on the specific PFAS compound and product, exposure may occur through direct use, food packaging, contaminated drinking water, or manufacturing processes.
Examples of products that have historically contained or used PFAS include:
Researchers continue evaluating how these products contribute to long-term PFAS exposure as manufacturing practices and product formulations continue to evolve.
Many PFAS lawsuits allege that manufacturers continued producing or releasing PFAS despite growing evidence that these chemicals persist in the environment and may remain in the human body for years. Litigation has also focused on allegations involving contamination of public drinking water supplies, industrial emissions, and inadequate warnings regarding potential exposure risks.
Unlike many other chemical exposures, PFAS contamination can affect entire communities. Drinking water near manufacturing facilities, military installations, airports, landfills, and locations where firefighting foam has been used has become one of the most studied sources of exposure.
Some occupations may also involve greater opportunities for repeated PFAS exposure, including:
Researchers continue studying how long-term occupational and environmental exposure may influence health outcomes.
Researchers continue investigating why some individuals may be more susceptible to health effects following PFAS exposure than others. Factors being studied include duration of exposure, cumulative PFAS levels, genetics, age, kidney function, thyroid disease, and other underlying health conditions. Existing medical conditions do not necessarily mean someone will develop a PFAS-related illness, but they may influence how the body processes or responds to long-term chemical exposure.
PFAS research has expanded rapidly over the past two decades as scientists work to better understand how long-term exposure may affect human health. Much of today's research focuses on communities with known drinking water contamination, occupational exposure, and long-term biomonitoring programs.
Several large government-supported research programs continue evaluating the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure. One of the largest is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) PFAS Multi-Site Study, which follows thousands of adults and children from communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water across the United States. Researchers are evaluating potential relationships between PFAS exposure and immune function, cholesterol, liver health, thyroid disease, kidney function, diabetes, and certain cancers to better understand long-term health outcomes.
PFAS have been detected in the blood of most people in the United States because these chemicals have been widely used and persist in the environment for many years. Although researchers continue studying the health effects of different PFAS compounds, existing evidence has linked higher exposure levels with increased risks for several health conditions, including kidney cancer and testicular cancer, as well as changes in cholesterol, liver enzymes, immune response, and thyroid function. Researchers emphasize that individual risk depends on many factors, including the amount, duration, and source of exposure.
There is no medical treatment that removes PFAS from the body after exposure. Instead, current research focuses on reducing environmental contamination, improving detection methods, developing technologies that remove PFAS from drinking water, and better understanding how these chemicals affect human health. Medical advances continue for illnesses being studied in connection with PFAS exposure, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid cancer, with researchers investigating earlier detection, targeted therapies, and personalized treatment approaches.
Research into PFAS exposure is supported by organizations including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and academic medical centers across the United States. These organizations study PFAS exposure, environmental cleanup, and potential health effects while supporting clinical research into conditions that may be associated with long-term exposure. Individuals interested in clinical trials can also search ClinicalTrials.gov or speak with their healthcare provider about research opportunities related to their specific diagnosis.
Although PFAS are widespread in the environment, individuals may be able to reduce future exposure by understanding where these chemicals are commonly found and following guidance from public health agencies.
Paying attention to local drinking water advisories, following product safety information, and using certified water filtration systems where appropriate may also help reduce ongoing exposure. PFAS have been used in thousands of products over many decades, so reducing exposure is often an ongoing process rather than a single action.
PFAS exposure itself does not produce immediate symptoms, and many people with elevated PFAS levels never develop serious illness. However, individuals should seek medical evaluation for persistent or unexplained symptoms such as blood in the urine, a new testicular lump or swelling, persistent neck swelling, unexplained fatigue, or other concerning changes that may warrant additional testing. Healthcare providers may also consider an individual's occupational, residential, and environmental exposure history when evaluating potential health concerns.
In recent years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established the first national drinking water standards for several PFAS compounds, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other agencies continue evaluating exposure pathways, product safety, and potential health effects. Regulatory requirements continue to evolve as additional research becomes available.
Many industries have reduced or phased out certain PFAS compounds, while others continue transitioning to alternative materials or updated manufacturing processes. Environmental monitoring, workplace safety practices, water treatment technologies, and product testing continue evolving as researchers learn more about PFAS contamination and persistence. Compliance requirements may vary by industry, state, and the specific PFAS compounds involved, making this an active area of scientific and regulatory development.
Individuals who believe they experienced significant PFAS exposure and were later diagnosed with certain illnesses may wish to better understand their legal options. Whether someone may have a legal claim depends on many factors, including the source and duration of exposure, medical diagnosis, available evidence, and the laws of the state where a claim is filed.
Every PFAS-related claim is evaluated on its own facts. Attorneys reviewing these cases may consider an individual's diagnosis, known or suspected PFAS exposure, occupational or residential history, medical records, environmental testing results, and other evidence that helps establish how and when exposure occurred.
Depending on the circumstances, individuals pursuing PFAS-related claims may seek compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, caregiving costs, and, in some cases, wrongful death damages. The compensation available in any case depends on the specific facts, applicable law, and supporting evidence.
The deadline for filing a PFAS-related claim varies by state and may depend on when an individual was diagnosed or reasonably became aware of a possible connection between an illness and prior PFAS exposure. Because these deadlines differ across jurisdictions, individuals considering legal action may wish to understand the laws that apply where their claim would be filed.
Relevant records may include medical records, pathology reports, employment history, military service records, residential history, drinking water testing results, environmental reports, and documentation identifying workplaces or communities where PFAS contamination has been reported.
PFAS litigation has grown rapidly in recent years, with thousands of lawsuits involving drinking water contamination, firefighting foam (AFFF), occupational exposure, and personal injury claims. Major manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and other companies involved in the production or use of PFAS chemicals, have been named in litigation alleging environmental contamination and inadequate warnings regarding potential health risks.
Several manufacturers have agreed to multi-billion-dollar settlements with public water systems to help address PFAS contamination, while personal injury lawsuits involving illnesses such as kidney cancer and testicular cancer continue to move through state and federal courts. Because PFAS litigation is active, prior settlements or verdicts should not be viewed as predicting the outcome or value of any future claim.
Learn more about living with serious illnesses potentially associated with PFAS exposure:
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