PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil across the nation and the globe. These chemicals are used to make products that resist stains, grease, and water. They are also used in stain resistant carpet, clothing, non-stick cookware, and firefighting foam. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in many food products and in the environment.

Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. According to EPA, "exposure to high levels of PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes," including:

• Reproductive effects, such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure for pregnant women.
• Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.
• Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
• Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections.
• Interference with the body’s natural hormones.
• Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

EPA's researchers and partners across the country are working hard to understand how to manage and remove PFAS from the environment and protect human health.

On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS.  To create the rule, EPA evaluated over 120,000 comments submitted by the public, as well as input received during multiple consultations and engagement activities. EPA expects that the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

EPA also designated two widely used PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. 

• Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027). Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027 and will be monitored for compliance.
• Public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed maximum levels.
• Beginning in five years (2029), public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water which violates one or more of these maximum levels must take action to reduce PFAS in their drinking water and must provide notification to the public of the violation.

You can limit your exposure to PFAS by taking specific steps:

• Find out if PFAS are in your drinking water
• Avoid eating fish from waterways impacted by PFAS. Use the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services list of fish advisory contacts to determine which bodies of water are impacted

Even though recent efforts to remove certain PFAS from products have reduced the likelihood of exposure, some household items 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.

Water testing is used to determine if drinking water has PFAS contamination. PFAS has been identified in some drinking water in Chatham County. If you receive your drinking water from a utility, you can reach out to your water provider to inquire about any PFAS testing they may have conducted. 

If you receive your water from a private well, options for testing are included in the PFAS Water Testing & Filtration Resources.

Specific filtration systems can remove or reduce PFAS from drinking water. If you live near known sources of PFAS contamination or your drinking water contains PFAS above the EPA health advisory levels, you may want to use a different water source or filter your water before drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula. 

Note: Boiling water will NOT remove PFAS. 

Along with private wells, there are different municipal systems that serve Chatham residents. Links to those systems are below:

Chatham County Water Customer

Pittsboro Water Customers

Siler City Water Customers

Generally, the lower the levels, the lower the risk. The new EPA health advisory levels for PFAS are below levels that can be detected with current tests. Therefore, any detection of PFAS compounds in drinking water could represent an increased health risk.

Yes. Based on current scientific understanding, only a small amount of PFAS gets into your body through skin, so very little PFAS exposure would come from showering, bathing, and similar activities.

The amount of water ingested while brushing teeth is small relative to the amount of water typically consumed through eating and drinking.  Exposure to PFAS from brushing teeth presents a minimal health risk.