PFAS

Our research and policy work helped put PFAS on the map

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of highly persistent industrial chemicals. Well-studied PFAS have been linked to health harm, and all PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment. We work to prevent PFAS pollution by publishing research, making policy recommendations, and educating decision makers.

Research

We collaborate with scientists from academia, government, business, and NGOs on research that contributes to improved regulation and reduced use of PFAS.

PFAS in cosmetics

We collaborated with the University of Notre Dame, University of Toronto, Indiana University, and ETH Zurich to test 231 popular makeup products from the U.S. and Canada. We found high fluorine levels—indicating the probable presence of PFAS—in just over half of these products. In June 2021, we published our results in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters.

The study was widely covered by the media (including Good Morning America, CNN, The Guardian, and The Washington Post), prompting legislative and industry action.

High levels were especially prevalent in waterproof mascara, liquid lipsticks, and foundations (Whitehead et al., 2021)

PFAS in U.S. drinking water

Our 2016 paper in ES&T Letters linked PFAS contamination in drinking water to sources including fluorochemical production plants, airports, and military fire training areas.

Our joint paper identified major sources of PFAS in drinking water (Hu et al., 2016).

The study also calculated that 6 million U.S. residents were served by public water supplies in which concentrations of the two most extensively used PFAS, PFOS and PFOA, exceeded EPA’s health advisory level.

This paper has been viewed tens of thousands of times and has contributed to increased knowledge of PFAS-contaminated drinking water and the need for solutions.

PFAS in food packaging

Working with our collaborators, we found that about 40% of fast food packaging from around the U.S. contained fluorine (and likely PFAS). The communications campaign around our 2017 study brought these results to the public, fast food companies, and U.S. Senators, and contributed to the reduced use of PFAS in fast food packaging.

Policy

While sharing the latest research, we suggest policies to reduce exposure and harm.

The Madrid Statement

In 2015, we led development of the Madrid Statement, encouraging society to limit the production and use of the entire class of PFAS. This consensus statement was signed by over 200 scientists from around the world and catalyzed increasing awareness of the harmful properties of PFAS.

Consensus statement on defining PFAS

In 2024 we led a consensus statement signed by more than 150 scientists clarifying the need for accurate and thorough PFAS definitions that government agencies and legislatures should use. It recommends use of either the common States’ “one fully fluorinated carbon atom” definition or the very similar Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s definition, both of which cover the class of PFAS, including fluoropolymers and fluorinated gases.

Scientists' letter to WHO

In 2022 we led more than 100 scientists in sending a letter to the World Health Organization urging a complete overhaul or withdrawal of the organization’s draft drinking water guidelines for the two most well-studied PFAS. The letter detailed how WHO’s draft disregarded robust evidence of harms and lacked transparency about authorship. This effort contributed to WHO scrapping its weak draft guidelines and reinitiating their scientific review.

Scientists’ letter on need for coordinated PFAS health studies

We published a commentary in Environmental Health in 2017 calling for coordinated health research in PFAS-contaminated communities in the U.S. The piece was signed by leading researchers and shared with decision makers in government. Our companion op-ed in The Hill contributed to government support for studies as suggested in our commentary.

Regulating PFAS as hazardous wastes

Along with our partners at the UC Berkeley Environmental Law Clinic and five community groups from Alaska to North Carolina, we petitioned the U.S. EPA to list hundreds of PFAS as hazardous wastes under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Our op-ed about the petition is here.

Managing PFAS as a class

We co-authored a paper with some of the top PFAS experts from academia, government, and nonprofits on the importance of adopting a class-based approach to PFAS management. The paper won a Best Paper Award from Environmental Science & Technology Letters. You can watch a two-minute animated video about the paper here.

Federal legislative work

Since 2008, we have shared with Senate and House staff the basic science on toxic chemicals and ideas to reduce harm. Our educational work on PFAS includes regular Hill visits and monthly webinars. As a result, several of our ideas to limit the use of PFAS and protect communities’ health have been enacted into law with bipartisan support.

Congressional proclamation in recognition of Arlene Blum (Click image to enlarge).

Education

We educate decision makers about limiting unnecessary uses of PFAS through workshops, talks, and webinars.

Collaborative workshops

We convene multi-stakeholder workshops to educate companies about PFAS and other chemical classes of concern. These meetings have contributed to the carpet, outdoor, and fast food industries’ decisions to move toward PFAS-free products.

Press

We increase the impact of our scientific papers and policy work with press releases and media interviews.

PFASCentral.org

In 2019 we launched PFASCentral.org, a curated source for the latest news, science, policy, and opportunities related to PFAS. The website also hosts a regularly updated list of PFAS-free products and the PFAS Data Hub which provides quick access to a breadth of publicly available PFAS data sources.

Talks and webinars

We share information on PFAS through talks at scientific, governmental, and industry meetings.