Can PFAs cause cancer?
Studies do not clearly show whether PFAs cause cancer in people. People exposed to high levels may have increased risk of kidney cancer or testicular cancer. However, these studies are not consistent and may not have looked at other factors like smoking.
Studies in animals have shown that PFOA and PFOS can cause cancer in the liver, testes, pancreas, and thyroid. However, some scientists believe that humans may not develop the same cancers as animals.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified PFOA as possibly carcinogenic (causing cancer) to humans, but it has not evaluated whether other PFAs may also cause cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet evaluated whether PFOA and other PFAs can cause cancer. The Environmental Protection (EPA) suggest that there is evidence that PFAs may have the potential to cause cancer.
How can I protect my family from exposure to PFAs?
- If you do not know about PFAs levels in your water, ask your local health department.
- If your drinking water contains PFAs above the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory, consider using an alternative or treated water source for any activity in which you might swallow water. Check for fish advisories for water bodies where you fish. Follow fish advisories that tell people to stop or limit eating fish from waters contaminated with PFAs or other compounds.
Can a medical test show whether I’ve been exposed to PFAs?
A blood test can measure individual PFAs compounds in your blood, but this is not a test routinely done in a doctor’s office.
If you have PFAs in your blood, you have been exposed to these chemicals and absorbed them into your body at some time. However, having PFAs in your blood does not necessarily mean that you will become ill from PFAs.
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
The EPA has set drinking water levels for PFOA and PFOS of 70 parts per trillion. You can learn more by visiting: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636.
You can also get information on ATSDR’s PFAS website: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html.
You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.