What are the health effects from PFAS?

According to the US EPA, there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. If humans, or animals, ingest PFAS (by eating or drinking food or water than contain PFAS), the PFAS are absorbed, and can accumulate in the body. PFAS stay in the human body for long periods of time. As a result, as people get exposed to PFAS from different sources over time, the level of PFAS in their bodies may increase to the point where they suffer from adverse health effects.

Studies indicate that PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects, and decreased thyroid hormone levels in laboratory animals.  The most consistent findings from human epidemiology studies are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to:

  • infant birth weights,
  • effects on the immune system,
  • cancer (for PFOA), and
  • thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS and PFBS).
  • effects on kidneys (PFBS)
  • growth and development in fetuses, infants, and young children (PFHxS)

Show All Answers

1. What are PFAS? Per – and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
2. What are the sources of PFAS?
3. What are the health effects from PFAS?
4. What are California monitoring regulations on PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS?
5. Has ACWD tested its water for PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, or PFHxS?
6. How were tests conducted?
7. How often will ACWD monitor for PFAS?
8. What is ACWD doing about treatment for PFAS?
9. How will customers be updated about future testing results?
10. Where can I find more information?