PFAS Use and Regulation Remain Focus of Ongoing Health and Environmental Review

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” have drawn attention due to their persistence in the environment and potential health effects. Regulatory agencies in the United States continue to study and monitor these substances in food, water, and consumer products.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made compounds that have been used in manufacturing since the late 1930s. Their chemical structure, marked by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, makes them highly resistant to degradation in natural environments and within the human body.

These chemicals have been incorporated into a wide range of products, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, food packaging, cosmetics, and carpets. Their popularity stems from their ability to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, which has led to widespread use and environmental distribution.

PFAS can accumulate in the human body over time, with some types remaining in the bloodstream for several years. Most individuals in the United States have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood, reflecting the widespread presence of these substances in the environment and consumer goods.

What the numbers show

• The FDA tested over 1,900 food samples for PFAS
• Fewer than 5% of fresh and processed foods contained PFAS, with higher detection in seafood
• In February 2024, the FDA announced PFAS-based grease-proofing agents were no longer sold in the US

Exposure to PFAS can occur through multiple pathways, including contaminated drinking water, food—especially fish and seafood—air, soil, dust, and products containing PFAS. Certain occupations, such as firefighting and chemical manufacturing, may result in higher exposure levels.

Research has linked certain PFAS to a range of health outcomes, including thyroid issues, developmental delays in children, increased cancer risk, reduced immune function, reproductive difficulties, elevated cholesterol, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. A 2025 study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention found an association between higher PFAS blood levels and recurrent miscarriages among women.

Regulatory agencies have taken steps to address PFAS exposure. The FDA announced in early 2024 that grease-proofing agents containing PFAS are no longer being sold in the United States, and related food contact notifications were declared no longer effective in January 2025. The agency continues to monitor PFAS in food through ongoing studies, with a particular focus on seafood.

The EPA released a draft risk assessment in January 2025 to evaluate potential human health risks of PFAS, specifically PFOA and PFOS, in biosolids such as sewage sludge. This assessment is part of broader efforts to understand and manage PFAS exposure from various environmental sources.

Recent scientific studies have also explored possible ways to reduce PFAS burden in living organisms. In 2025, researchers at the University of Cambridge reported that certain gut microbes in mice can absorb and help eliminate PFAS compounds, indicating a potential microbial approach for future mitigation strategies.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.