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Facts. Science. A clearer picture.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and everyday products since the 1940s, and are now found in water, air, fish and soil around the world. This site explains what PFAS are, where they are found and why they matter, with every fact linked to its source.

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Photo by ekrem osmanoglu on Unsplash

Understand the basics

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of thousands of chemicals. They are used to keep food from sticking to cookware and packaging, to make fabrics and carpets resist stains and water, and to make firefighting foam more effective. The chemistry that makes them useful also means many PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment.

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Stain, water and grease resistantBuilt on carbon-fluorine bonds, among the strongest in chemistry
Used in many productsFrom cookware to medical devices
Found in the environmentDetected in water, air, fish and soil worldwide

Everyday applications

Where Are PFAS Used?

PFAS are used in a wide range of products and industries. Here are some of the most common applications named by U.S. health and environmental agencies.

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Nonstick CookwareStain and Water ResistanceFirefighting FoamsIndustrial ProcessesPersonal Care ProductsFood Packaging

Photos from Unsplash. Image credits

The bigger picture

Understanding PFAS

There are thousands of PFAS, and they do not all behave the same way. Their effects and toxicity can vary, yet most studies focus on a few well-known compounds such as PFOA and PFOS. Learn how PFAS differ and why that matters.

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Diagram: the PFAS family includes the legacy compounds PFOA and PFOS and thousands of other PFASPFASFamilyPFOA(legacy)PFOS(legacy)OtherPFAS

Products and places

PFAS and Everyday Life

People can come into contact with PFAS through drinking water, some foods, household dust, the air and products made with PFAS. Nearly everyone in the U.S. has PFAS in their blood. Learn how exposure happens and what you can do about it.

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Scientist wearing safety glasses looking into a microscope
Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels

Evidence and insights

Science and Research

Explore what researchers have found about PFAS, from blood testing across the U.S. population to studies of health effects and drinking water, with definitions and answers to common questions.

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About this site. PFASfacts is an independent information site and is not affiliated with 3M or any manufacturer. From 2018 to 2025 this address hosted a website published by 3M; those pages are preserved, with their capture dates, in the Archive. How we source our information.