Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk

What EPA is Doing

Learn what EPA is doing to address PFAS.

Limiting Your Exposure to PFAS Can Help Protect Your Health

Because certain PFAS are known to cause risks to human health, the most important steps you and your family can take to protect your health is to understand how to limit your exposure to PFAS by:

  • Taking the specific steps listed below to reduce possible exposure during daily activities.
  • Learning more about PFAS by exploring the resources listed at the end of this document.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to PFAS in Drinking Water

If You Get Your Water from a Public Drinking Water System

A Note about PFAS and Water

Studies have shown that only a small amount of PFAS can get into your body through your skin. Therefore, showering, bathing, and washing dishes in water containing PFAS are unlikely to significantly increase your risk.

There are several steps you can take to find out if PFAS is in your drinking water and if it is, reduce your exposure.

  • Find out if PFAS are in your drinking water:  If you get your water from a public drinking water system, reach out to your local water utility to learn about how they may be addressing PFAS as well as ask them to test the water for PFAS or to share information with you if they have already tested the water. NOTE: Some public drinking water systems may not have this information. If you choose to test your water yourself, it is important to use a state-certified laboratory using EPA-developed testing methods (see section below on private wells).
  • If you remain concerned about the level of PFAS in your drinking water, you can:
    • Contact your state environmental protection agency or health department and your local water utility to find out what actions they recommend.
    • Consider installing in-home water treatment (e.g., filters) that are certified to lower the levels of PFAS in your water. Learn about certified in-home water treatment filters.

If You Get Your Water from a Home Drinking Water Well

EPA does not regulate or provide recommended standards for private wells. However, EPA does provide valuable information on well testing and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants. For example:  

  • Conduct regular well testing - for information on the overall quality of the water and whether it contains PFAS.
  • Contact your state environmental or health agency - for detailed advice or to obtain a list of state-certified laboratories using EPA-developed testing methods in drinking water. The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Management System website may also be helpful in finding a laboratory to test for PFAS.
  • Compare your results to your state standards for safe levels PFAS in drinking water. If you state does not have standards, compare your levels to EPA’s Health Advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS.
  • If you remain concerned about the level of PFAS in your drinking water:
    • Contact your state environmental protection agency or health department and your local water utility to find out what actions they recommend.
    • If possible, consider using an alternate water source for drinking, preparing food, cooking, brushing teeth, preparing baby formula, and any other activity when your family might swallow water.
    • Consider installing an in-home water treatment (e.g., filters) that are certified to lower the levels of PFAS in your water. Learn about certified in-home water treatment filters.
  • Find resources about private wells.

Mothers and Breastfeeding

PFAS can migrate from a mother’s blood into her breast milk which may then expose breast-fed infants to PFAS. However, based on current science, the benefits of breastfeeding appear in most cases to outweigh the risks of exposure to PFAS for infants and provide many proven health benefits for infants, including protecting them from illness.

In weighing the risks and benefits of breastfeeding, mothers should contact their doctor. Read additional information about talking to your doctor about breastfeeding and PFAS.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Risk from Consuming Fish Contaminated with PFAS

Contaminated Fish: Avoid eating fish from waterways impacted by PFAS. You can determine which waterways are of concern by contacting your state or tribal fish advisory programs using EPA’s list of state, territory, and tribal fish advisory contacts. It is important to follow fish consumption guidelines that tell people to stop or limit eating fish from waters contaminated with PFAS or other contaminants.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Risk from Consumer Products Containing PFAS

Consumer Products: Even though recent efforts to remove certain PFAS from commerce have reduced the likelihood of exposure, some household products and indoor air or dust may still contain PFAS. If you have questions or concerns about products you use in your home, you may contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Consumer Ombudsman by calling (301) 504-8120 or emailing ConsumerOmbudsman@cpsc.gov , or visit the CSPC's website. 

Steps You Can Take to Learn More About PFAS and Provide Input on Proposed Federal Actions

Additional steps you can take if you have concerns about PFAS include:

  1. Learning more about these chemicals and federal and state actions to address them.
  2. Participating in the federal regulatory process as EPA and other federal agencies propose actions to limit their use, prevent contamination, and clean it up once it occurs.

Where to Go for the Latest Information on PFAS

News Releases from EPA about PFAS

Sign up to receive EPA’s press releases and alerts on PFAS related topics.

Federal Government Resources

State Government Resources

Information on How to Provide Input on Proposed Government Actions

What is a Regulation?

Under federal environmental laws, EPA and other federal agencies are authorized to help put those laws into effect by creating and enforcing regulations.

Regulations are mandatory requirements that can apply to individuals, businesses, state or local governments, non-profits, and others.

Federal agencies are required to provide an opportunity for public comment when proposing a new regulation and must consider the comments in revising the proposal and issuing a final rule.  In carrying out our mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA develops regulations to prevent or to clean up hazardous chemicals released into our air, land, and water, some of which relate to PFAS. 

Commenting on a proposed regulation is an important opportunity to make your voice heard. It is a way for you to provide decisionmakers with key information on any or all aspects of the proposed action, including:

  • Pointing out key issues in the proposed regulation that you or your community are concerned about,
  • Offering additional data and scientific evidence that may not have been considered,
  • Identifying factual errors, and
  • Proposing alternative solutions.  

EPA’s regulations will always be announced in the Federal Register and can be found at the following government websites: https://www.federalregister.gov/, and https://www.regulations.gov/.

For some rules, EPA holds a public hearing where you can provide comments in person or remotely. The agency always accepts comments in writing. All comments – whether in person or written – get the same level of consideration. Below are additional resources to help you comment on EPA’s proposed regulations related to PFAS.

PFOA, PFOS and Other PFAS

Contact Us About PFOA, PFOS and Other PFAS
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Last updated on November 21, 2024