PFAS are used in manufacturing processes, so they are not present at high concentrations in most consumer products. However, when they are not properly disposed of, PFAS can reach sources of drinking water, be present in dust and accumulate in fish and other animals that we consume. Some PFAS uses such as in insecticides, carpet treatments and firefighting foams can lead to additional exposures.

Environmental risks usually depend on the concentration of the PFAS contaminant and on exposure conditions. Individuals exposed to large amounts of PFAS in the air have been found to suffer negative health effects. If ingested above certain levels, various PFAS can cause problems in the liver, kidneys and nervous system and may also create developmental and reproductive issues.

PFAS were included in the EPA’s Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule testing in order to determine how prevalent certain perfluorinated compounds are in U.S. drinking water supplies and at what level they appear.

Following that testing, in May 2016, the EPA released health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), making a lifetime health advisory for each compound, or a sum total of the two, of 0.07 parts per billion.

Under the recent round of UCMR3 testing, many water systems nationwide tested for PFAS. Contact your public water system to learn more about PFAS testing and results. You can usually find contact information for your public water system on your water bill.

PFAS in drinking water are not currently regulated in the United States, however six perfluorinated compounds were monitored under EPA’s Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. The PFAS monitored under UCMR3 included: PFOS, PFOA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS).

Following the UCMR3 testing, in May 2016, the EPA released health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, making a lifetime health advisory for each compound, or a sum total of the two, of 0.07 parts per billion.

The EPA has been examining both potential health risks and the UCMR3 occurrence data when determining if these compounds should be regulated. Their decision on whether or not to regulate is based in large part on whether the UCMR3 testing shows a significant number of U.S. drinking water systems have concentrations of PFAS at levels of concern.

Following the UCMR3 testing, in May 2016, the EPA released health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, making a lifetime health advisory for each compound, or a sum total of the two, of 0.07 parts per billion.

If you get your drinking water from a private well, you should have your water tested by a certified laboratory regularly. PFAS are not contaminants typically measured; if you want to know if PFAS are present in your well water you may contact one of the labs on the UCMR3 laboratory list for information on how to sample and where to send samples for analysis. Additional information about well water testing from EPA is available on its private drinking water well FAQ page.

Bottled water quality can vary. Bottled water in the United States is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is required to meet standards equal to the EPA’s tap water standards. There are also individual state standards. However, in most cases, you must contact the bottled water manufacturer for information about contaminant levels.