PFAS and your health

Potential health impacts

We don’t know whether PFAS will cause a specific health impact for an individual. That’s because many factors, such as health history and lifestyle, can influence health impacts.

Children ages 0-5 years, and people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding may be more susceptible to health impacts from these chemicals. Other vulnerable populations include people who live in highly contaminated communities and people who have occupational exposure.

There is strong evidence that some PFAS:

• Affect the immune system.
• Decrease infant birth weight.
• Increase cholesterol.
• Increase risk of kidney cancer.

There is moderate evidence that some PFAS:

• Increase risk of preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Impact liver enzymes.
• Effect thyroid hormones.
• Increase risk of ulcerative colitis.
• Increase risk of testicular cancer and breast cancer.

The science around PFAS is always changing. The strength of evidence for some health effects may increase or decrease as we learn new information.

More information:

• Explainer video: Why are PFAS a Health Concern
• Talking to your health care provider about PFAS
• PFAS and your health: Pregnancy, infant feeding and young children

Blood tests for PFAS

Blood tests can measure the level of PFAS in your blood. If you are interested in getting a blood test for PFAS, consider:

• What will the test tell you?
  • Testing can tell if a person’s blood PFAS level is lower than, the same as, or higher than the blood levels of other people living in the U.S. Repeated blood testing over time may show whether reducing exposure (for example, changing water sources) was effective.
  • Blood testing cannot show whether PFAS caused a person’s health problems or if they will experience health problems in the future. The test also would not determine treatment or next steps.
• Will your insurance cover the blood test? Blood tests for PFAS can be expensive and may not be covered.
• Can your health care provider order the blood test for you? Depending on what lab your health care provider uses, you may have to order your own blood test.
• Are at-home tests an option? At-home blood tests for PFAS are available. If you decide to use one, keep in mind that they have the same limitations as tests ordered by a health care provider or obtained at a lab.

Research shows that when drinking water is contaminated, it is likely people’s biggest source of PFAS exposure.

Regulatory standards

In April, 2024, the EPA set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS — PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals. However, the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and GenX are currently under review. MCLs are legally enforceable standards that must be met by public water systems. These standards reflect information on health effects, available testing technology, treatment techniques, and costs.

More information from EPA

Not knowing if PFAS contamination might affect your health over your lifetime can be stressful, but you can get the facts, reduce your exposure, and talk to your health care provider about potential health impacts.

Find out about PFAS in your drinking water

• Public water systems are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act. If you get drinking water from a public water system, you can visit our treated drinking water dashboard.
  • If your water provider is not available on the dashboard, it’s possible your public water system tested for PFAS but did not participate in CDPHE's sampling programs.
  • If your public water system has tested for PFAS, they might have their results on their website. You can also reach out to your system directly to ask about test results.
  • If your system has not tested for PFAS or signed up to test for PFAS, encourage it to do so through the PFAS Grant Program.
• Private wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is the responsibility of the private well user to maintain your well water quality.
  • If you get drinking water from a private well, have the well tested for PFAS. You can request free testing through the PFAS Testing and Assistance Program (TAP). PFAS TAP also offers free filters to participants who are eligible based on income and PFAS results.
  • Please visit our private well water tool for help understanding your PFAS well test results.

If you are concerned about possible health impacts from PFAS, talk to your health care provider. For example, you can ask about:

• Testing and treatment for high cholesterol.
• Monitoring your blood pressure and fetal growth during pregnancy.
• Early screening and lifestyle changes to decrease your overall cancer risk.

If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, we encourage you to apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)). Visit the Health First Colorado website.

More information:

• Talking to your health care provider about PFAS
• PFAS and your health: Pregnancy, infant feeding and young children

• A guide for health care providers: Addressing PFAS concerns
• ECHO webinar - PFAS information and guidance for health care providers

People can be exposed to PFAS through a variety of pathways, including consumer products, firefighting foams, and industrial releases of PFAS from manufacturing processes that end up in soil, sediment, plants, animals, and drinking water supplies.

Research shows that when drinking water is contaminated with PFAS above EPA’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), it is likely to be people’s biggest source of PFAS exposure. However, diet is likely the biggest source of exposure among people who are not exposed to PFAS in drinking water.

Learn more on our Reducing your exposure to PFAS page.