PFAS in the Body: The Main Routes of Exposure — and How You Can Reduce Your Exposure
Laura Chrobok 30.07.2026
PFAS have been detected in the blood of the vast majority of the population. But how do PFAS actually enter the human body? And, above all, what can we ourselves do to keep our exposure as low as possible?
In the previous two articles, you can read about the background to PFAS scandals and learn how and why “forever chemicals” continue to be used in the pharmaceutical industry despite everything. But through which other routes do PFAS enter the human body? Which sources play the greatest role, and which groups of people are particularly vulnerable?
The Different Routes by Which PFAS Enter the Body
Over the course of a lifetime, various routes of contamination may arise and accumulate. Which route predominates in any individual case depends, among other things, on where a person lives, their dietary habits, lifestyle, occupation and the level of environmental contamination (EFSA, 2020; Sunderland et al., 2019).
According to the current state of research, exposure occurs primarily through:
· food
· drinking water
· household dust
· grease-resistant food packaging (e.g. fast-food packaging or microwave popcorn bags)
· water- and stain-resistant outdoor clothing
· treated carpets and upholstered furniture
· certain cosmetic products
· where applicable, the workplace
(ATSDR, 2021; Sunderland et al., 2019).
However, the contribution of each of these sources to overall PFAS exposure can vary considerably from one individual to another.
Food and Drinking Water as the Most Important Sources of PFAS
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), diet is generally one of the most important routes of PFAS exposure (EFSA, 2020).
Foods of animal origin can be particularly relevant, as certain PFAS accumulate along the food chain.
Elevated concentrations have been detected, for example, in:
· fish
· seafood
· eggs
· certain meat products.
In contaminated regions, drinking water can also make a significant contribution to PFAS exposure. Furthermore, contaminated drinking water can contribute to the contamination of agricultural land and thereby indirectly affect food production.
(EFSA, 2020; Sunderland et al., 2019)
As PFAS are widespread, their presence does not justify a general recommendation to avoid certain foods altogether. However, the actual level of exposure depends largely on the extent of regional environmental contamination with PFAS and on the dietary habits of local residents. More on the effects PFAS can have on the body.
Groups at Particular Risk
Not everyone is exposed to the same level of PFAS risk. As mentioned, dietary habits, for example, are among the factors that influence exposure.
An increased risk also exists, for example, for:
· Pregnant women
· Breastfeeding women
· Children.
PFAS can cross the placenta and have also been detected in breast milk (EFSA, 2020; ATSDR, 2021).
Also at risk are people who ...
· work with PFAS or PFAS-containing materials as part of their occupation,
· live near former industrial sites, airports or military facilities where PFAS-containing firefighting foams have been used
(ATSDR, 2021; Sunderland et al., 2019).
Reducing PFAS Exposure
Completely avoiding PFAS is hardly possible. These substances are now widespread around the world and have even been detected in remote regions. Nevertheless, there are various measures that can at least partially reduce personal exposure.
Above all, this includes keeping exposure from the main sources of contamination or exposure as low as possible. If there are regional indications of PFAS-contaminated drinking water, the recommendations issued by the relevant authorities should be followed. The same applies to self-caught fish from contaminated waters or foods from known contaminated areas, where it is advisable to follow any official consumption recommendations that may be in place (German Environment Agency, 2024; EFSA, 2020).
In addition, experts recommend limiting unnecessary contact with PFAS-containing consumer products wherever possible. These include certain grease-resistant disposable food packaging or textiles with durable water- and stain-resistant coatings, provided that equivalent PFAS-free alternatives are available (Glüge et al., 2020; OECD, 2022).
On the internet, numerous products and services claim to offer targeted detoxification or elimination of PFAS. However, caution is advised: research in this area is still in its early stages. The clinical studies available so far have been conducted predominantly in people with exceptionally high PFAS exposure.
Research is mostly focusing on:
· Blood and Plasma Donation
Regular blood donations, and plasma donations in particular, are being investigated as a possible way of reducing PFAS concentrations in the blood.
In a randomised clinical study involving 285 firefighters with elevated PFAS blood levels due to their occupation, both blood and plasma donations resulted in a significant reduction in PFAS concentrations. The greatest decrease was observed after regular donations (Gasiorowski et al., 2022).
However, it has not yet been investigated whether these lower PFAS blood levels also reduce the long-term risk of PFAS-related diseases.
· Cholestyramine
This bile acid sequestrant has been used for many years, among other things, to treat elevated cholesterol levels.
In a randomised controlled cross-over study from Denmark, 45 adults with very high PFAS exposure took 12 g of cholestyramine daily for 12 weeks. As a result, blood concentrations of PFOS decreased by an average of around 60%. The concentrations of other PFAS were also reduced.
The proposed mechanism of action is considered plausible: certain PFAS are excreted into the intestine via the bile and are then partially reabsorbed. Cholestyramine binds these substances in the intestine and interrupts the so-called enterohepatic circulation, thereby promoting their excretion (Møller et al., 2024). However, the authors explicitly point out that larger studies are needed before general treatment recommendations can be derived from these findings.
At present, there is no established medical treatment for the general population to remove PFAS specifically from the body. According to current knowledge, the most effective strategy therefore remains to keep any further exposure to these substances as low as possible. Nevertheless, our blog offers plenty of additional information on the subject of detox.
Conclusion: PFAS Exposure Cannot Be Avoided Completely — But It Can Be Reduced!
PFAS are now among the most widespread environmental chemicals in the world. For most people, exposure occurs primarily through food and — depending on the region — drinking water. Additional sources include household dust and certain everyday consumer products.
Complete avoidance is hardly possible today. Nevertheless, scientific studies show that personal exposure can be reduced at least to some extent. It is particularly important to follow official recommendations concerning contaminated drinking water or regionally contaminated foods and — wherever practical — to replace PFAS-containing consumer products with suitable alternatives.
FAQ — (Further) Frequently Asked Questions About Avoiding PFAS Contamination
1. Which cosmetic products may contain PFAS, and how can you identify them?
PFAS may be present, for example, in waterproof mascaras, long-lasting foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners or sunscreen products. Checking the list of ingredients can help. Terms such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluorodecalin, perfluorononyl dimethicone, or other ingredients beginning with “perfluoro-” or “polyfluoro-” may indicate the presence of PFAS. However, since there are thousands of PFAS, identifying them is not always straightforward.
2. Should non-stick frying pans be avoided?
Not necessarily. Modern PTFE non-stick coatings are regarded as largely stable when used properly and release little or no PFAS under normal cooking conditions. Problems can arise if coated pans are severely overheated or damaged.
3. Can cooking or washing remove PFAS from food?
PFAS are chemically extremely stable and are not destroyed by normal cooking or heating. Depending on the type of food, small amounts may pass into the cooking water, but there is no reliable method for removing them. It is therefore more sensible to minimise exposure from known sources of contamination than to rely on removing PFAS afterwards.
4. Are water filters suitable for removing PFAS from drinking water?
That depends on the filtration system used. Activated carbon filters can partially reduce certain PFAS, but their effectiveness varies depending on the type of filter and the PFAS compound concerned. Reverse osmosis systems are considered particularly effective and can remove a large proportion of many PFAS from drinking water. However, the quality of the system and regular filter replacement are crucial.
Further information (also on many other topics) can be found on our blog. You can also find our “Medizinskandale” book series and the “Codex Humanus” — the fifth volume of which was recently published — in our online shop. We look forward to your visit.
Sources:
· European Food Safety Authority (2020): “Risk to Human Health Related to the Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Food,” EFSA Journal.
· Sunderland et al. (2019): “A Review of the Pathways of Human Exposure to Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Present Understanding of Health Effects,” Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
· Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2021): “Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls.”
· German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) (2024): “PFAS – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.”
· Glüge et al. (2020): “An Overview of the Uses of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS),” Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts.
· Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2022): “Fact Cards of Major Groups of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs),” OECD Series on Risk Management of Chemicals, OECD Publishing, Paris.
· Gasiorowski et al. (2022): “Effect of Plasma and Blood Donations on Levels of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighters in Australia: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” JAMA Network Open.
· Møller et al. (2024): “Substantial Decrease of PFAS with Anion Exchange Resin Treatment – A Clinical Cross-over Trial,” Environment International.