PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They are commonly used in hundreds of household and industrial products. In the occupational setting, these “forever chemicals” have been used in almost all industrial sectors starting in the 1940s and 1950s, including construction, textile, automotive, military, and aerospace industries. But recent studies have shown that there are several occupations with high exposure to PFAS chemicals, including firefighters, ski waxers, and fluorochemical plant workers. Let’s take a closer look at some of these occupations and the potential sources of PFAS exposure.
What occupations have increased risk of PFAS exposure?
PFAS chemical exposure in the workplace is quite common in a number of occupations. Higher exposures occur in occupations where PFAS chemicals are handled directly in the manufacture or production of products, as well as in occupations where exposure to PFAS is a common occurrence in their day-to-day work duties.
Firefighters
Firefighters are exposed to all sorts of environmental toxins and pollutants as they fight fires and go into hazardous situations. Yet, the biggest sources of PFAS exposure may be the firefighting foams and gear that they use on a regular basis.
By the 1960s, PFAS began to be incorporated into firefighting foams, known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). These foams were vital in combating liquid fuel fires, which couldn't be extinguished by water alone. AFFFs, laced with PFAS, were effective in quickly smothering fires, preventing re-ignition by creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen. Given the success in emergency situations, particularly in military contexts, the use of PFAS-infused foams became a standard approach globally.
The application of PFAS in firefighting didn't stop at foams. By the late 20th century, the material's heat-resistant quality led to its incorporation into firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE). Gear such as jackets, trousers, gloves, and boots were manufactured using fabrics treated with PFAS to provide protection against extreme heat and chemical exposure
Ski waxers
A study published in 2010 found that professional ski waxers in Norway had 25-times higher PFAS levels than the general population, and that their PFAS levels were at least 10 times higher than European guidelines at the time.
The ski industry is trying to reduce or remove the use of PFAS-containing waxes, and in 2020, the International Ski Federation banned the use of PFAS waxes in professional races. However, given that some PFAS remain in the body for years, these changes may still take a long time to be effective.
Textile workers and carpet fitters
PFAS chemicals are widely used in the textile and leather industries to impart desired properties such as water resistance and stain-proofing, resulting in end products that contain PFAS and may lead to exposures.
Perhaps more important for workers in these industries, textile manufacturing includes many complex steps that involve the use of PFAS. In fact, almost every step of the process involves PFAS. Raw materials are impregnated with PFAS. Machinery is maintained with PFAS-containing lubricants. Even the final products are treated with stains, dyes, and coatings based on PFAS chemicals.
One key class of textiles with especially high levels of PFAS is carpeting. Therefore, carpet fitters who work with PFAS treated carpeting materials are constantly exposed to PFAS through direct contact as well as inhalation of PFOS-contaminated carpet dust and particles
Other workers at increased risk
Many other groups of workers also face increased risks.
Chemical workers
Many studies have shown that chemical plant workers, especially those working in fluorochemical plants that produce PFAS, have the highest levels of PFAS in their body. Naturally, these workers have higher risk of exposure to PFAS than many other occupations due to their handling of concentrated PFAS raw materials. OSHA and other work safety standards do exist for chemical plants. But even with the highest safety standards, workers are still exposed regularly.
Construction workers
The use of PFAS chemicals in construction is quite common and spans various components of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and building processes. According to Green Science Policy Institute, there are at least 12 major categories of building materials that contain significant PFAS, including:
- Roofing
- Coatings
- Flooring
- Sealants and Adhesives
- Glass
- Fabrics
- Wires and Cables
- Tape
- Timber-Derived Products
- Solar Panels
- Artificial Turf
- Seismic Damping Systems
Despite the presence of PFAS in all aspects of construction, there is less awareness about the presence and dangers of PFAS in the construction industry.
Automotive and transportation industry workers
PFAS chemicals are used as additives in certain types of lubricants, engine oils, and hydraulic fluids to provide anti-wear, anti-corrosion, and antifoam product characteristics. A research study in 2020 found that 100% of the 18 commonly purchased automotive lubricants they tested contained PFAS compounds. PFAS are also used in physical components such as valves, brake lines, fuel lines, and batteries. The growing use of lithium ion batteries in EVs and hybrids drives additional PFAS exposure for workers in the automotive industry.
How PFAS chemicals get into the body
PFAS can enter the body through several pathways. This is what makes it challenging or even impossible to completely eradicate PFAS exposure.
Breathing
When working with PFAS chemicals or PFAS-containing products, breathing in PFAS is a key source of exposure. This can occur by breathing in PFAS as aerosols or fumes, or even by breathing in PFAS-contaminated dust or other particles. Proper ventilation in the workplace and the use of personal protective equipment such as respirators is important to reduce exposures through inhalation. Research is ongoing by various organizations to determine safety guidelines for PFAS exposure through inhalation, including work by The American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
Absorption through skin
Like many chemicals, PFAS can enter the body through direct contact with the skin. In the course of their day-to-day work, many industrial workers may be exposed to PFAS compounds. So, it’s important to use appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce exposure. However, one profession that is particularly vulnerable to exposure through skin contact is firefighting. Here, the turnout gear (PPE) that they use to protect themselves from heat and fires typically contains PFAS compounds. Recently published findings from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) show that firefighter turnout gear contains and releases high levels of PFAS. This is especially true as the gear experiences “wear and tear” through normal use. Depending on the manufacturer of the gear, as many as 20 different PFAS compounds may be present, especially in the middle and outer layers of the turnout gear. In light of these findings, some manufacturers are now developing PFAS-free turnout gear that meets required safety standards while using fewer or lower amounts of PFAS.
Ingestion
Ingestion of PFAS compounds in the workplace is uncommon. However, PFAS ingestion through your diet is almost a given nowadays. Sources could include:
- Accidental ingestion of PFAS-containing soil, dust, or other materials
- Drinking PFAS-contaminated water
- Eating food grown or raised near PFAS-contaminated water or soil
- Eating food that was packaged in PFAS-containing materials (certain food wrappers or disposable cups or plates with water-resistant lining)
- Eating eating fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS
The benefits of testing and tracking PFAS levels in your blood
Understanding your current PFAS levels is the first step to doing something about workplace exposure. Relentless Health has spent the last several months developing a new, state-of-the-art minimally-invasive PFAS test which you can take at home. Our test uses a special microsampling device, which only requires a few drops of blood, and the sample is stable enough that it can simply be mailed back to our lab. The PFAS Core Panel provides a comprehensive report showing your levels for 18 different PFAS chemicals that are commonly found in occupational settings, and you can test as often as you need to keep track of your PFAS levels over time in our easy-to-use app.
The test is undergoing its final approval process and will be released in the coming weeks.
Learn more about our PFAS home testing kit.
