The Relentless Health PFAS FAQ
PFAS is a huge and growing issue. Our FAQ helps you understand what these compounds are, what they do to your body, and how to measure your exposure.
PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of man-made “forever chemicals”. They have long been used in manufacturing for their useful chemical properties, such as being non-stick and being able to repel water.
PFAS compounds were once viewed as wonder chemicals thanks to their chemical stability and desirable properties. This led to them being used in almost every conceivable industrial process and in many consumer products. This has also led to large-scale environmental pollution.
Evidence is increasingly linking PFAS exposure to significant adverse health outcomes. These include several forms of cancer as well as reproductive health issues and organ damage among others. As a result, it is important to understand which PFAS substances are present in your body and in what quantities.
Almost everyone faces some risk of PFAS exposure. However, certain professions place you at increased risk. These include auto workers, chemical workers, firefighters, ski waxers, and textile/carpet workers. In addition, many places have increased levels of PFAS in well water and these place people in those areas at increased risk. PFAS is also found in non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, and more.
The usual approach for this is for a nurse or phlebotomist to draw a vial of blood from you which is then subjected to detailed toxicological analysis. However, there are other options available, including ones that only require a few drops of blood. In most cases, these tests can only identify a small number of PFAS compounds and these may not be the ones you were exposed to.
Our lab developed test can identify the presence of PFAS within your body. We collect a few drops of blood from one of your finger tips using a special sampling device. This is then sent to our central laboratory where we use advanced liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify up to 24 PFAS compounds. The test results are available a few days after the sample is sent to the lab.
The Relentless Health PFAS Core Panel tells you whether you have detectable levels of specific PFAS chemicals in your blood, as well as the concentration of each detected PFAS chemical in “ng/mL” (nanograms per milliliter). Each test includes a guide with recommendations on how to reduce PFAS exposure at home and in the workplace.
The Relentless Health PFAS test is designed as a research tool to help you monitor your exposure to PFAS in your environment. It is not intended for use as a clinical diagnostic test. The test results will allow you to monitor your own exposure. Relentless Health is working to establish baseline levels across the population.
The Relentless Health PFAS Core Panel includes analysis of your blood for 18 different PFAS chemicals. Eight of the PFAS compounds are the same ones tracked by The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES):
The test also includes 10 other PFAS compounds that are commonly used in various consumer products and industrial processes, as well as found in some drinking water and the environment.
Relentless Health's toxin tests are available to be purchased and used by anyone in the United States, except for residents of the state of New York. This is due to New York's state regulations for lab testing. We hope to make our tests available in NY soon.
