PFAS Exposure: In a recent update to its guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging healthcare providers to discuss potential exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with patients and consider whether blood testing might be beneficial. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a family of nearly 15,000 chemicals known for their persistence in the body and the environment. They have been linked to serious health conditions, including kidney cancer and decreased birth weight.
This marks the first update to clinical recommendations for PFAS testing by the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) since 2019. The guidance suggests that blood testing may help individuals understand their exposure to certain PFAS and guide exposure reduction efforts. However, it emphasizes that PFAS blood tests do not provide information to pinpoint a specific health problem or predict future health outcomes.
While the update is seen as a step forward, some advocacy groups argue that it falls short of recommending PFAS blood testing more strongly, especially for communities with high levels of exposure. PFAS are pervasive and contaminate drinking water, food, and consumer products, with nearly every American having a measurable amount of PFAS in their blood.
Community organizers emphasize the importance of PFAS blood testing for individuals living near industrial facilities or exposed through contaminated sources. However, they express disappointment that the updated guidelines do not provide stronger recommendations for medical advice on this topic.
PFAS exposure has been a growing concern, and the new guidance aims to help clinicians weigh the benefits and risks of PFAS blood testing based on a patient’s exposure. The guidance acknowledges that PFAS blood tests can offer a baseline for understanding a person’s exposure, allowing for follow-up testing to assess the effectiveness of exposure reduction measures. However, it clarifies that the tests cannot predict future health outcomes or pinpoint specific health problems.
While PFAS blood testing can be useful for individuals with a history of high exposure, such as those living near industrial facilities, there are challenges. The tests can be expensive, finding a lab to process results may be difficult, and providers face time constraints during appointments.
Community-level blood testing is considered important for areas heavily impacted by PFAS, helping researchers understand changes in a population’s exposure over time. Some states require insurers to cover the cost of PFAS blood testing, while coverage in other states depends on individual plans and the reason for the test.
It’s essential to note that PFAS blood tests have limitations. They provide a snapshot of exposure over the past five to seven years, rather than a lifetime, and cannot identify specific sources or timing of exposure. Additionally, there are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and blood tests may only detect a fraction of them.
Despite the challenges, advocates stress the importance of individuals being informed about their PFAS exposure, and they see PFAS blood testing as a tool to empower communities to monitor and address their health risks.
PFAS Exposure: Improved awareness and proactive measures, such as obtaining reports on PFAS levels in drinking water and making mindful choices about exposures, are suggested to help reduce the risks associated with these pervasive chemicals.
Source Should You Get a Blood Test for PFAS? The CDC Says It’s Worth a Chat With Your Doctor