PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) Test Panel
Per-and Polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) or "forever chemicals" are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products like nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, carpets, some cosmetics and firefighting foams. The science around potential health impacts of PFAS exposure is still emerging but evidence suggests that high PFAS exposure is associated with certain health conditions. Read more
Elevated levels of 9 PFAS (Forever Chemicals) have been associated with increased risk to certain health conditions reported in individuals with high levels of industrial or environmental exposure.1
This PFAS blood test measures the levels of 9 PFAS chemicals that have been associated with certain health risks, providing the overall level and each of the 9 individual PFAS levels. The results provide an indication of how much PFAS has entered the body over time.
PFAS blood testing does not identify the sources of a person’s exposure or predict future health outcomes. This test assesses PFAS levels at the time of the blood sample collection.
This PFAS test is not intended for use in the diagnosis of any disease or other conditions, or for use in the cure, mitigation, or treatment of any disease or condition. Only a physician can diagnose a health condition or outcome. This test is not appropriate for forensic use.
Please Note: In January 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided new information on its website that recognizes the value of PFAS blood testing by a CLIA-certified laboratory (like those operated by Quest Diagnostics).2 As knowledge and guidelines about PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and PFAS testing continue to evolve, questhealth.com may update its test offering accordingly.
How it works
While the science around the health impacts of PFAS exposure is still emerging, several governmental agencies and organizations have conducted PFAS research and reviewed PFAS-specific published literature. After these reviews, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) concluded that there is association between elevated PFAS levels and the following conditions:
- decreased antibody response,
- unhealthy levels of lipids in your blood (dyslipidemia)
- decreased infant and fetal growth
- increased risk of kidney cancer (in adults).
Please note that the health conditions listed above were observed in people with high exposure to PFAS. The NASEM Report does not conclude that these health conditions are caused by PFAS, but did find that there is an “association” between high PFAS levels and these health conditions. NASEM reported also that the evidence was “limited or suggestive” of an association between PFAS levels and other health conditions, including breast cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and some others. 1
The results of the PFAS test will tell you if you have PFAS levels that may be associated with certain health conditions.
PFAS blood testing does not identify the sources of exposure or predict future health outcomes. The test only assesses PFAS levels at the time of the blood sample collection.
This test is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, or treatment of any disease or condition. This test is not appropriate for forensic use.
Only a physician can provide information on a relationship between certain diseases or medical conditions due to the presence of PFAS and what you should and should not do if your results show PFAS in your blood at any level.
If your NASEM summation result value is high (>20ng/mL), you will receive an alert call from an independent physician’s group to discuss your results. If NASEM summation result value is not in the high range (>20ng/mL), you will still have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. Your physician may provide guidance that includes steps to reduce sources of exposure.
Testing may be right for people who likely have had elevated exposure to PFAS.
People who may be more likely to have had elevated exposure to significant PFAS levels include, but are not limited to:
- Anyone who may have been exposed on the job, such as firefighters
- Anyone who uses a water supply, including water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, that’s near a commercial or industrial location. These locations could include airports, military bases, manufacturing plants, or sewage plants
- Anyone living near a facility that manufactures fluorochemicals
- Anyone living near areas of documented PFAS environmental contamination
While PFAS can be found in many different places, there are some ways you can limit your exposure to them.1 This includes:
- Minimizing or avoiding using nonstick cookware that contain PFAS
- Limit the consumption of packaged foods
- Being cautious when using products labeled as water-resistant or stain resistant
- Use water filters that are certified to remove PFAS from drinking water
References
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology; Committee on the Guidance on PFAS Testing and Health Outcomes. Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2022. doi:10.17226/26156
- PFAS Information for Clinicians. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. PFAS Information for Clinicians | ATSDR (cdc.gov)
Sources
- “What ATSDR is doing with PFAS|ATSDR.” Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC, 18 January 2024, What ATSDR is doing with PFAS | ATSDR (cdc.gov)