PFAS has been in the news a lot recently. More and more research is linking PFAS with serious long-term health effects. But how can you tell whether you are affected by PFAS? Our PFAS testing 101 is here to help you. We will cover the different types of PFAS testing. Which people really should take a test? And why getting tested matters.
What actually are PFAS compounds?
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they take a long time to break down in the environment and the human body. PFAS actually stands for per- and poly-flouroalkyl substances. They are a large group of compounds that chemical companies created due to their desirable properties. These include being water repellant, greaseproof, and stain resistant. As a result, they have been used in numerous applications, from firefighting foam (AFFF or aqueous film forming foam) to fast food wrappers.
Why should I care about PFAS compounds?
More and more studies are linking PFAS with serious health issues. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has been looking into PFAS risks for several years. A 2022 NASEM report identified several health issues that are directly caused by PFAS. Since then, there have been many more scientific studies that link PFAS with health problems.
How do I know if I have PFAS in my body?
There are 3 main ways to measure which PFAS are present in your body. These are blood serum testing, whole blood testing, and urinalysis. Let’s explore each of these in more detail:
Blood serum testing
Here, a phlebotomist or nurse draws blood from a vein. The blood is processed at a lab to remove all the proteins and leave behind the liquid portion (called serum). The serum is then tested for the presence of PFAS compounds. This is the longest-established method for PFAS testing. The CDC has been testing for PFAS like this in their NHANES program for over 2 decades.
Whole blood testing
Recently, labs have started using dried whole blood samples to test for PFAS. There are a few benefits to this. Firstly, the sample can be much smaller. Typically, just a few drops of blood are enough. Secondly, the sampling process can be done at home and needs no specialist medical knowledge. Thirdly, the resulting samples are far more stable than the fresh blood used for serum testing.
Urinalysis
It is also possible to detect PFAS in urine samples. However, this is not such a widely used approach. The issue here is that each person’s body eliminates PFAS differently and at different rates. So, it is harder to draw conclusions about the results of urinalysis.
Who should get tested for PFAS?
Environmental PFAS contamination is a problem across the US. A recent study showed in the Great Lakes region PFAS is found in significant levels in rainfall. So, arguably everyone could benefit from PFAS testing. Earlier this year, the CDC issued guidance that more doctors should consider recommending PFAS testing more often.
Who is at most risk from PFAS?
Some groups of people are at particular risk from PFAS exposure, either through their career or because of where they live. Here’s a few examples:
- Firefighters are exposed through their safety gear, through firefighting foams, and through PFAS being released in fires.
- Ski waxers are exposed because almost all the waxes they use are made from PFAS
- People living near military bases or airports are likely to be exposed to higher levels of
How can I understand my test results?
The science around PFAS exposure and health impacts is evolving rapidly. The compounds are so ubiquitous that virtually everyone has some level of PFAS in their blood. This suggests that extremely low levels of exposure are largely safe. But as with most chemicals, higher levels of exposure become dangerous. The 2022 NASEM report suggests that, for blood serum testing, levels of PFAS below 2ng/mL are generally safe. Levels between 2-20ng/mL are potentially concerning for some higher risk individuals. Whilst for levels over 20ng/mL, the authors recommend seeking additional medical advice. Note though that these are for blood serum levels, and only for the 16 compounds being tracked in the NHANES study. For whole blood, the PFAS Exchange recommends multiplying the level by 2 to get a serum equivalent. However, that is only a rule of thumb. Our best advice is that if you see levels over 10ng/mL for any compound, you should consider getting additional tests.
What is the Relentless Health PFAS Core Panel?
Relentless Health has spent the last few months developing a new 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. The sample is stable enough that it can simply be mailed back to our lab.
Learn more about our PFAS home testing kit.
