Firefighters have up to 53% more PFAS in their bodies than the general population. They are exposed via personal protective equipment, AFFF foams, and PFAS released in fires.
PFAS contamination is a major problem at over 700 military sites in the US alone. Fire-fighting foam, and contaminated water and soil at these sites expose our heroes to high levels of PFAS.
The manufacture of stain- or water-resistant carpets, rugs, furniture, and clothing involves high levels of PFAS at all stages of the process. Installing carpets exposes the fitters to PFAS dust.
PFAS is often inhaled so install proper ventilation and use appropriate PPE
If you are exposed to PFAS seek guidance on good processes from OSHA or others
Most of us eat and drink at work. Small changes here can help reduce PFAS
Firefighters have high exposure to PFAS for a variety of reasons. PFAS has been used in firefighting foams, known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) since the 1960s. These foams are very useful in fighting liquid fuel fires, which can’t be extinguished by water alone. PFAS chemicals are also extensively used in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE). Gear such as jackets, trousers, gloves, and boots are treated with PFAS to provide protection against extreme heat and chemical exposure. Last but not least, firefighters are exposed to PFAS at incidents, where burning building materials, synthetic products, and household contents release PFAS-contaminated particles into the air.
Like firefighters, active military and veterans are exposed to PFAS chemicals due to aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Over 700 US military sites have very high levels of PFAS due to extensive use of AFFF. Also like firefighters, many members of the military wear protective clothing and gear that contain PFAS. Furthermore, living on or spending time near military sites exposes people to PFAS-contaminated drinking water. For all these reasons, there are significant efforts by the DoD and Veterans Administration to support military personnel regarding PFAS.
Textile and carpet workers may be exposed to high levels of PFAS compounds during the manufacturing process or by working with the finished products. Textile manufacturing includes many complex steps that involve the use of PFAS. Raw materials are impregnated with PFAS and machinery is maintained with PFAS-containing lubricants. Final products are treated with stains, dyes, and coatings based on PFAS chemicals.
One class of textiles with especially high levels of PFAS is carpeting. Carpet fitters who work with PFAS treated carpeting materials are constantly exposed to PFAS through direct contact as well as inhalation of PFAS-contaminated carpet dust and particles.
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. PFAS chemicals are commonly used in construction and span various components of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Some PFAS-containing materials include roofing material, coatings, flooring, sealants and adhesives, fabrics, timber-derived products, and artificial turf. In addition to direct contact with PFAS-containing materials, there is high risk of exposure due to cutting, grinding, sanding, welding, and all the other activities involved in the construction process.
Professional ski waxers may not know that the wax they work with hundreds of times per season is made of PFAS chemicals. Heating the wax releases PFAS into the air. Without proper ventilation, there is a high concentration of PFAS that can be inhaled. A study in Norway found that professional ski waxers had 25-times greater concentrations of PFAS than the general population. Like other professions with high exposures, PFAS may pose a health threat to ski waxers.
The most common way that we are exposed to PFAS is through eating or drinking PFAS-contaminated food and water. However, PFAS can also be inhaled when using aerosolized products that contain PFAS or when PFAS-treated materials create dust (think of dust from carpets and furniture). Lastly, PFAS can also absorb through the skin, especially if cosmetics or water-proof clothing that contain high levels of PFAS are used every day.
The first step to doing something about PFAS exposure is to understand the sources of exposure. Whether it’s your occupation or your daily personal living, try to learn more about where PFAS is coming from. Second, get a PFAS blood test to understand your current PFAS levels. From there, you can make changes to your environment and your lifestyle to try to reduce your exposure.
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.
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.
