These chemicals are highly resistant to degradation and once released into the environment they can be mobile in water, soil and groundwater. This may lead to exposure through drinking water, food, or dusts. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS may harm human health.

Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women. Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes. Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.

For our 2022 targeted seafood survey, we detected PFAS in 74% (60 out of 81) of the samples of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, and tuna.