Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting chemicals with components that break down very slowly over time. PFAS can be found in the environment in the air, water, and soil, as well as within the blood of humans and animals. Exposure to PFAS can lead to harmful health effects in individuals who have been exposed to the chemicals. Due to the variety and different types of PFAS, as well as the many different products that contain PFAS, acquiring and assessing the potential environmental and human health risks is difficult. With this said, it is important to evaluate which communities and groups of people are most affected by PFAS. Though new research is underway regarding PFAS, importance should be placed on understanding actions that have been taken to prevent exposure to PFAS, as well as further actions that should be taken.
Though work has been done in order to understand and manage PFAS, there are also many unknowns when it comes to PFAS. Efforts are still being made to efficiently detect and measure PFAS in the air, water, soil, and wildlife. Further investigation is still being conducted on how often people are being exposed to PFAS, as well as how harmful PFAS are to people and the environment. Research is also still being performed on how to remove PFAS from drinking water and how to dispose of and manage PFAS.
According to research performed by Maruzzo et al. (2023), which explored socioeconomic discrepancies regarding exposure to PFAS in public water systems in the United States. The study found that water systems that served communities with higher percentages of Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black residents were more likely to contain PFAS and other unregulated industrial contaminants. This study found that although some factors contributing to the presence of contaminants were due to disproportionate industrial facility sites, further analysis suggested that disparities in focus on regulated chemicals in drinking water exposed vulnerabilities associated with demographics such as race and ethnicity.
In another study performed by Xingye et al. (2024), which studied the association between family economic situation and serum PFAS concentration in American adults with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Studies have found correlations between obesity and poverty. Researchers studied patients who had high blood pressure and high cholesterol who were also members of a low-income family. The results found a positive association between patients with higher blood pressure and cholesterol, along with lower incomes, in correlation with the presence of serum PFAS in the patients. Both studies demonstrate how individuals in poverty or lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be exposed to and impacted by PFAS.
Despite current PFAS exposures, efforts have been made to reduce the number of people and environments being affected by the PFAS. In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a regulation to create legally enforceable levels of PFAS called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) within public water systems. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply and keep PFAS levels under the MCLs by 2029 to avoid legal repercussions. The EPA announced in 2025 that this regulation would continue under the new administration. Research performed by Ahmad et al. (2024) discovered an effective mitigation strategy through the use of Biochar, specifically in feedstock, to reduce PFAS in agricultural environments. The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service is now implementing these mitigation and remediation efforts.
Despite efforts and strides made to reduce the impacts of PFAS, emphasis should still be placed on keeping those who are most vulnerable to the negative impacts of PFAS informed and advocated for. It is also important when implementing regulations and new mitigation actions that these vulnerable communities are prioritized. Communities whose residents have predominantly low socioeconomic status should be educated about PFAS and the health risks that can occur from exposure to these chemicals. Spreading awareness regarding PFAS is important in creating a healthier and educated society.