Dangerous PFAS health effects you need to know

As her company’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager, Lara wants everyone to remember that safety is about people, not just policies and procedures. She’s created a presentation on PFAS health effects so her employees can understand the human impact beyond the warning labels. 

She is the face of her company’s safety culture, so she wants all employees to know their health is her top priority. She wants everyone to be fully aware of the known effects of PFAS or “forever chemicals” on humans and the environment. 

Scientists are still somewhat split on the exact risks associated with working with PFAS chemicals, but here’s a brief look at what we do know. For EHS teams, understanding those risks is also a compliance priority: missing a PFAS obligation can create exposure risks, product restrictions, supply-chain disruption, and costly remediation.

Table of contents

Click on a specific section below to navigate to that area:

• 1. What is the effect of PFAS on humans?
• 2. What are the known health effects of PFAS or forever chemicals?
• 3. Do PFAS cause cancer?
• 4. PFAS regulations around the world
• 5. How to make PFAS management easier

1. What is the effect of PFAS on humans?

When determining the exact risk that any substance poses to human beings, we need to answer 3 big questions: 

How much of it is present in the environment?  

We know PFAS can be present in our drinking water and a lot of the products we use every day.  

How likely are we to come into contact with it?  

PFAS chemicals appear fairly often in day-to-day living, and very often for people working in environments where these chemicals are used. 

How much exposure is dangerous? 

We don’t know this yet. We don’t have a finite number that says ingesting X amount over Y days, months, or years is considered harmful to your health. 

Right now, safety professionals should do all they can to limit PFAS exposure, both at work and at home, and reduce the potential health risks associated with these substances.

2. What are the known health effects of PFAS or forever chemicals?

Again, the exact exposure needed to cause health complications is unclear, but there are proven risks. 

High exposure to PFAS chemicals has been proven to cause the following problems: 

• Higher cholesterol and potential obesity  
• Decreased fertility or high blood pressure in pregnant women 
• A number of developmental difficulties in children that can range from low birth weight to accelerated puberty 
• Negative effects on the immune system that may hurt the body’s ability to fight infection or respond to vaccines

The term PFSAS could describe any one of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals. Most of the health research available right now only focuses on the most well-known and most often-used chemicals. So, in essence, there could be other problems that simply haven’t been well-documented yet.  

3. Do PFAS cause cancer?

This is the big question. Has exposure to PFAS been linked to cancer? Yes. There is substantial evidence to link its connection to kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer. 

At the same time, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has now classified perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as cancer-causing, or carcinogenic (Group 1). This is why industries that rely on known PFAS-rich chemicals are now stepping back and studying the effects.

For example, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) identified a number of health risks for firefighters and airport employees who use Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) to fight petroleum-based fires.

Flame retardant foams and materials have been revealed to contain some of the highest levels of PFAS of any widely used products. Researchers found that elevated blood levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, a specific type of PFAS) were linked to a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. 

This is an example of a high-risk substance being used in high volume. Not everyone who works with or around PFAS chemicals will be subject to this level of exposure, but the data is still alarming. 

4. PFAS regulations around the world

If your business exports your products or imports supplies/materials from other countries, it’s a good idea to know the global landscape when it comes to PFAS. Most nations have acknowledged the negative effects of forever chemicals, but they are all moving to ban/phase out PFAS use at various speeds. It’s also important to know that each country will have their own regulatory and government bodies overseeing chemical management. 

What can PFAS non-compliance cost a business?

PFAS non-compliance can create costs that go well beyond regulatory penalties. Depending on the jurisdiction and product, businesses may face restricted market access, product withdrawals or recalls, testing and remediation costs, supply-chain disruption, and litigation.

For EHS and compliance teams, the priority is to understand where PFAS are present, which regulations apply in each market, and what reporting, substitution, or phase-out requirements affect the organization.

North America 

In the US, national oversight is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while military aspects are managed by the Department of Defense (DoD). There are also unique state-by-state regulations that are managed by various private agencies similar to the EPA. 

In Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) monitors regulations, with support from each corresponding provincial government. However, in terms of regulations, you will not find significant differences between the provinces. 

Europe

The management of PFAS falls under regulations including:

• EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulations
• Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation
• The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) proposed universal PFAS restriction under REACH

The proposed universal PFAS restriction has not yet entered into force. ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopted its final opinion in March 2026, while the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) issued its draft opinion for consultation. That consultation closed on 25 May 2026, and SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026.

Once ECHA completes its scientific evaluation, its opinions will be submitted to the European Commission, which will work with EU Member States on any final restriction.

Last verified: 25 August 2026.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) also maintains a dynamic list of PFAS and classifications.

Australia

The Australian Government has adopted a combination of regulatory acts and voluntary approaches to manage and dispose of PFAS. This includes the 2018 Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Framework for Responding to PFAS Contamination between the Federal Government with state and territory governments. 

At the same time, importers need to be compliant with the regulations and standards listed in the Industrial Chemicals Act of 2019. 

5. How to make PFAS management easier

As we mentioned earlier, your company may be using any one of 15,000 synthetic chemicals that have been known to contain PFAS. How do you manage that volume? How can you keep track of new risks? 

How to find PFAS in your supply chain

A practical PFAS review should start with the chemicals, materials, and products already used across your operations and supply chain.

• Review your chemical inventory, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and available product documentation.
• Check identified substances against current PFAS lists and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ask suppliers to confirm whether PFAS are intentionally added or present in components and materials they provide.
• Prioritise products and processes with a higher likelihood of PFAS use and identify where substitution or additional controls may be needed.
• Document your findings and repeat the review as supplier information and PFAS regulations change.

EcoOnline’s legislation module can help teams compare substances in their chemical inventory with PFAS identified by the OECD and make it easier to identify where action may be required.

Frequently asked questions about PFAS

Do PFAS chemicals cause cancer?

Some PFAS have been linked with cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Risk varies by substance and exposure, so PFAS should not all be treated as having the same hazard profile.

Are PFAS banned in the EU?

There is not currently a blanket EU-wide ban covering all PFAS. A broad restriction is being evaluated under REACH. ECHA’s RAC adopted its final opinion in March 2026, while SEAC’s draft opinion went through public consultation ending on 25 May 2026. SEAC’s final opinion is expected by the end of 2026, after which the European Commission and EU Member States will consider the final restriction.

How can an EHS team find PFAS in its supply chain?

Start by reviewing chemical inventories, Safety Data Sheets, product documentation, and supplier information. Compare identified substances against current PFAS lists and applicable regulations, ask suppliers about PFAS in components and materials, and document products or processes that may require substitution or additional controls.

What is the difference between PFOA and PFOS risk?

PFOA and PFOS are individual substances within the broader PFAS family. IARC classifies PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), while PFOS is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). This is one reason EHS teams should evaluate individual PFAS substances rather than treating every PFAS as having an identical risk profile.

EcoOnline’s chemical management solution offers a legislation module that shows a list of PFAS substances that have been identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This can help you easily find these chemicals in your workplace, so you can make the necessary substitutions. 

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