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Let’s talk about PFAS: Inconsistent public awareness about PFAS and its sources in the United States
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This study found that nearly half of U.S. survey respondents had never heard of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with 97% unaware their drinking water might be contaminated, highlighting a major public knowledge gap that community exposure events and coordinated government outreach could help address.
The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. drinking water has recently garnered significant attention from the media, federal government, and public health professionals. While concerns for PFAS exposure continue to mount, the general public's awareness and knowledge of the contaminant has remained unknown. This exploratory study sought to fill this data gap by administering a nationwide survey in which the awareness of PFAS and community contamination, awareness of PFAS containing products and intentions to change product use, and awareness and concern about PFAS in drinking water were assessed. The results indicated that almost half the respondents had never heard of PFAS and do not know what it is (45.1%). Additionally, 31.6% responded that they had heard of PFAS but do not know what it is. A large portion of respondents (97.4%) also responded that they did not believe their drinking water had been impacted by PFAS. Demographic association did not influence knowledge of PFAS or levels of concern with PFAS in drinking water. The strongest predictor of PFAS awareness was awareness due to known community exposure. The respondents aware of community exposure were more likely to have knowledge of PFAS sources, change their use of items with potential PFAS contamination, and answer that their drinking water sources were also contaminated with PFAS. Based on the received responses, PFAS information and health risks need to be better communicated to the public to help increase awareness. These efforts should also be coordinated between government agencies, utilities, the research community, and other responsible entities to bolster their effectiveness.
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Public perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Psycho-demographic characteristics differentiating PFAS knowledge and concern
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Researchers surveyed 935 New Zealand adults and found that while nearly half had heard of PFAS ("forever chemicals"), misunderstandings were common, and concern was highest among those with greater self-perceived knowledge — with key differences in awareness and attitudes across gender and age groups.
Determination of household wastewater PFAS composition and concentrations via sub-sewershed analysis
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Researchers analyzed residential wastewater from three sub-sewersheds over seven consecutive days and found higher PFAS concentrations and more analyte types than in tap water, suggesting households are a primary source. Daily total PFAS ranged from 10–49 ng/L, with more affluent neighborhoods contributing more per capita, in the first study to estimate household PFAS discharge upstream of treatment plants.
Poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances in water: Occurrence, analytical methodologies, and remediations strategies: A comprehensive review
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This review comprehensively compiled information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water, covering their sources, health effects, analytical detection methods, and remediation strategies for removing these persistent contaminants from aquatic environments.
Associations of dietary intake and longitudinal measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in predominantly Hispanic young Adults: A multicohort study
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This multicohort study of predominantly Hispanic young adults found that beverage consumption habits and food preparation methods are associated with differences in blood PFAS levels, underscoring dietary exposure as a significant contributor to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance accumulation and the need for public food monitoring.
PFAS in Drinking Water: Risk Factor for Human Life, Modern Sources of Pollution, Methods of Control and Approaches to Water Purification (review)
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A comprehensive review of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources documents their widespread detection in rivers, groundwater, soils, and even military ammunition, highlighting carcinogenic, immunotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, and organ-damaging properties alongside the limitations of current detection and removal methods. This is directly relevant to microplastic research because PFAS chemicals are key components of many plastic formulations and readily adsorb to microplastic surfaces, making microplastics a vector for PFAS co-exposure via drinking water.
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