Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances

​​Per- or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances refers to more than 9,000 human-made chemicals. These chemicals repel water, oil and grease.

PFAS are also called “forever chemicals." They don't breakdown in the environment and build up in wildlife and humans through exposure.

Since the 1940s, PFAS have been used in many commercial and industrial applications, including:

• Metal plating
• Carpeting
• Waterproof clothing
• Upholstery
• Food paper wrappings
• Cookware
• Cosmetics
• Fire-fighting foam 
• And much more​
  

Find more information about PFAS on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website.​

Health effects 

Current peer-reviewed scientific studies show exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to: 

• Reproductive effects (decreased fertility)
• Increased high blood pressure in pregnant people. 
• Developmental effects or delays in children. This includes low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations or behavioral changes. 
• Increased risk of some cancers. This includes prostate, kidney and testicular cancers. 
• Reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response. 
•  Interference with the body's natural hormones. 
•  Increased cholesterol levels and risk of obesity. 

PFAS in drinking​​ water 

PFAS concentrations over the Minnesota Department of Health's drinking water guidelines have been detected in both city and private drinking water wells in Dakota County. In April 2023, Dakota County published a report with the PFAS results of 97 private wells. Twenty-nine private drinking well results exceed the drinking water guidelines.  

At this time, municipal wells in the cities of Hastings and South St. Paul exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standards. Cities have five years (by 2029) to meet the new standards.

Please contact your city if you have questions about these results. See city water testing results on the Minnesota Department of Health's Interactive Dashboard for PFAS Testing in Drinking Water. 

How to test and treat you​​r drinking water 

The Minnesota Department of Health website lists accredited labs that will test a water sample collected by a well owner. A granular activated carbon filter can reduce PFAS in your city or private well's drinking water and are available in many ways: 

• Faucet mounted 
• Refrigerators that dispense water often have carbon filters 
• Pour-through water pitchers 
• Whole house carbon filters  

Look for a filter that is NSF/ANSI 53-certified to reduce PFOA and PFOS. Because the drinking water guidelines are new, the certifications on water treatment devices do not apply to the new lower guidelines. Granular Activated Carbon Filter​ Fact Sheet

Other treatment options to reduce PFAS are listed on the Minnesota Department of Health's website.

PFAS in con​sumer products 

• PFAS is found in many products and is not required to be listed on the label. 
• Food packaging, including grease-resistant paper, fast food containers and wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers 
• Nonstick cookware 
• Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics 
• Water-resistant clothing 
• Some cleaning products 
• Some personal care products (shampoo, dental floss) and cosmetics (nail polish, eye makeup) 
• Some paints, varnishes and sealants 

Minnesota now has laws in place to end avoidable use of PFAS by 2032. 

To reduce your potential exposure, choose PFAS-free products using PFAS Central's list or Greenscree​n for Safer Chemicals' list. Some companies have PFAS-free policies in place. Others published a date on their website for when they stopped using PFAS in their products.

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