PFAS are fluorinated organic chemicals that are widely used in various products, such as easy-to-clean cookware, waterproof clothing, shampoos, paints, and more (see Figure 1). They are also difficult to break down, making it common to find trace amounts of PFAS in environmental water samples. The World Health Organization ("WHO") is currently researching the sources of PFAS and their impacts on health, and no guideline values for PFAS levels in drinking water have yet been established.
Figure 1. PFAS are widely used in different products.