PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to PFOA?
  • PFOA is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.  Exposure to PFOA during pregnancy may affect the development of the child.
  • PFOA is also on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer.  Exposure to this chemical may increase the risk of cancer.
  • Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about significant exposure to  listed chemicals.
What is PFOA?
When and how has PFOA been used?
  • Starting in the 1940s, PFOA was used in many consumer and industrial products, including carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and non-stick cookware.  PFOA has also been present in some firefighting foams used at airports, firefighter training facilities, and military airfields.
  • In 2006, as part of the PFOA Stewardship Program led by the US Environmental Protection Agency, eight major chemical companies committed to eliminating PFOA from products, and from emissions from their industrial facilities, by 2015.
  • PFOA may still be present in some imported products.
Where can PFOA be found, and how does exposure occur?
  • PFOA is widespread and persistent in the environment.  Most people in California have detectable levels of PFOA in their blood.
  • PFOA has been found in some drinking water supplies in California.  PFOA can enter groundwater from multiple sources, including sewage treatment plants, industrial sites, landfills, and places where it is used in firefighting foam such as airports, firefighter training sites, and military installations.
  • Fish and shellfish can take up PFOA from water contaminated with the chemical.
  • PFOA can be released into the air and into food from some older non-stick cookware and some new imported non-stick cookware.
  • Some older consumer products, including leather products, textiles, upholstered furniture, carpets, and rugs, can release PFOA into the air.  PFOA then settles on floors and other surfaces, accumulating in dust.
  • Some new imported consumer products, including leather products and stain- or water-resistant textiles, can contain PFOA and result in exposure to the chemical.
Some ways you can be exposed to PFOA:
Main ways you can be exposed to PFOA
  • During pregnancy, PFOA can pass from mother to baby.
  • Infants and young children can be exposed to higher levels of PFOA than adults.  This is because they often crawl and play on the floor and on carpets, get dust on their hands, and then put their fingers, toys, and other objects in their mouths.  Young children may also consume proportionally more PFOA in food, given their smaller body size
How can I reduce my exposure to PFOA?
  • Consider choosing non-stick cookware identified as PFOA- or PFAS-free.
    • If you use non-stick cookware that may contain PFASs, it is best to use low or medium heat.  Avoid overheating these items.
  • Minimize your exposure to dust, which can contain PFOA:
    • Wash your hands and your child’s hands frequently, especially before preparing food and before eating.
    • Clean your floors regularly.  If possible, use a wet mop or a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
    • Dust regularly, using a damp cloth.
  • Contact your water supplier if you have questions or concerns about the possible presence of PFOA in your drinking water.  Look for updates on California’s efforts to monitor and report levels of  PFOA in drinking water supplies.
For more information:

General Fact Sheets and Resources

Scientific Information on PFOA

Proposition 65

Updated December 2022
Fact Sheet - PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)

Related Chemical(s)

References
Chemical