PFAS Action Steps
A practical checklist for reducing your PFAS exposure at home
It’s unrealistic to think you can eliminate PFAS exposure entirely. These chemicals are in the environment, in water systems, and in products already in your home. What you can do is reduce your ongoing exposure in the areas that matter most. Start with the quick wins below, then work through each section at your own pace.
Drinking WaterThe Highest-Impact Step You Can TakeHIGHEST PRIORITY
Drinking water is the most significant controllable PFAS exposure source for most Americans. A 2024 Environmental Working Group analysis estimated that at least 143 million Americans have detectable PFAS in their tap water. Addressing your water supply has a larger impact on your overall exposure than any other single change.
1
Find out what is in your water. Look up your water utility’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Every public water system is required to publish one annually.
Go to epa.gov/ccr, enter your zip code, and download the most recent report. Look for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and PFBS.
2
Test your water independently if you have a private well. Public CCRs do not cover private wells. You are responsible for testing your own supply.
Contact your state environmental agency or use a certified lab. NSF-certified labs can be found at nsf.org.
3
Install a filter certified to remove PFAS. Two technologies are effective: reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon (GAC), with RO providing higher removal rates.
Look for NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certification for RO systems or NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for activated carbon. Standard 58 filters remove up to 94% of PFOA and PFOS. Pitcher-style filters without NSF 58 certification are not reliable for PFAS.
4
Replace filters on schedule. An expired filter may release stored PFAS back into your water.
Set a calendar reminder. Most under-sink RO membranes require replacement every 2 years; pre-filters every 6 to 12 months.
5
Use filtered water for cooking, not just drinking. Boiling water does not remove PFAS. Any water that goes into pasta, rice, soups, or infant formula should be filtered.
Regulatory Status: Food Packaging
Filter Type
PFAS Removal
Certification
Notes
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
Up to 94%
NSF/ANSI 58
Most effective option. Removes PFOA, PFOS, and most other PFAS. Requires installation and periodic membrane replacement.
Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink)
Moderate to high
NSF/ANSI 53
Effective for long-chain PFAS. Performance varies by system and contact time. Less effective for short-chain PFAS.
Whole-house carbon filter
Moderate
NSF/ANSI 53
Treats all water entering the home. Useful if shower or bath exposure is a concern. Requires professional installation.
Standard pitcher filter (e.g., Brita)
Low to none
Not certified for PFAS
Standard activated carbon pitchers are not certified to remove PFAS. Do not rely on these for PFAS reduction.
Kitchenreplacing the cookware that contaminates your foodHIGH PRIORITY
Non-stick cookware is the most significant in-home dietary source of PFAS for people who cook regularly. A scratched or worn pan with a PTFE coating is in direct contact with your food. This is one of the most practical and cost-effective exposure reductions available.
1
Inspect every non-stick pan in your kitchen today. Any pan with a scratched, chipped, or peeling coating should be removed from use immediately.
Do not wait until you can replace it. Use a stainless steel or cast iron pan in the meantime.
2
Replace non-stick cookware with PFAS-free alternatives. Cast iron, stainless steel, and carbon steel are durable, PFAS-free, and last decades with proper care.
If you prefer non-stick cooking, look for ceramic-coated pans specifically labeled PTFE-free with third-party testing documentation. “PFOA-free” alone is not sufficient — the pan may still contain PTFE or other PFAS.
3
Never overheat a PFAS-coated pan. Two If you keep any non-stick cookware, use it only on low to medium heat. Never preheat an empty non-stick pan.
PTFE coatings begin to degrade above 500°F. Overheating releases fluorinated gases and accelerates coating breakdown.
4
Stop reheating food in fast food packaging or microwave bags. Transfer to a glass or ceramic dish before microwaving.
5
Switch to glass or stainless steel food storage. PFAS can migrate from some plastic bags and disposable wraps into food during storage, particularly for fatty foods.
6
Replace non-stick bakeware with uncoated alternatives. Baking sheets, molds, and trays with PTFE coatings transfer PFAS into baked goods. Uncoated stainless steel or cast iron bakeware is readily available.
Personal Carefinding cosmetics that do not contain PFASMedium Priority
PFAS are used in foundation, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, blush, and waterproof makeup to improve texture and longevity. Skin is a direct absorption pathway. People who apply makeup daily have sustained, repeated skin contact with these products. Ingredient labeling for cosmetics is inconsistent, making third-party databases the most reliable tool.
1
Search your current cosmetics at EWG’s Skin Deep database. The database rates products by ingredient safety, including PFAS content.
Go to ewg.org/skindeep and search by product name or brand. Products with PFAS ingredients receive lower safety scores.
2
Prioritize replacing foundation, mascara, and waterproof makeup first. These categories have the highest documented rates of PFAS use and the most direct skin contact.
3
Look for EPA Safer Choice or GreenScreen certification when choosing replacement products. These require third-party ingredient assessment, not just manufacturer claims.
4
Switch your dental floss.Replace Oral-B Glide and similar PTFE-coated flosses with plain nylon or natural silk floss. A 2019 study found that Glide users had measurably higher PFAS blood levels than non-users.
Water flossers are an entirely PFAS-free alternative. This is one of the cheapest and easiest swaps on this list.
5
Scan ingredient labels for PTFE, fluoropolymers, and “perfluoro” prefixes. These terms on a cosmetics label indicate the intentional use of PFAS in the formulation.
Common ingredient names to avoid: PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorocarbon resin, perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane, and any ingredient beginning with “perfluoro.”
Home Environmentreducing PFAS in dust, furniture, and carpetsMedium Priority
PFAS from stain-resistant furniture, carpets, and treated textiles migrate into household dust over time. Dust is a meaningful exposure pathway, particularly for young children and pets who spend time on the floor. Most of these changes are low-cost and require no purchases — just different habits.
1
Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-filter vacuum. Standard vacuums recirculate fine dust back into the air. A HEPA-filter vacuum captures it. This is the single highest-impact habit change for indoor PFAS dust exposure.
Aim for at least weekly vacuuming of carpeted areas and upholstered furniture. More frequently if you have young children or pets on the floor.
2
Leave shoes at the door. Shoes tracked in from outside carry PFAS-contaminated soil and dust. Removing shoes at entry significantly reduces PFAS brought into the home.
3
Wipe hard surfaces with a damp cloth regularly. Dry dusting redistributes particles into the air. Damp wiping removes them.
4
Decline stain-protection treatments on new furniture and carpets. These treatments are applied at point of sale and are almost always PFAS-based. Politely decline or ask specifically what product will be used.
5
When replacing carpets or rugs, choose untreated natural fibers. Wool, cotton, and jute rugs without stain treatment contain no PFAS. Minnesota and California have already banned PFAS in carpets and rugs.
6
Increase ventilation in your home. Opening windows regularly helps dilute indoor air PFAS concentrations from off-gassing textiles and treated materials.
Foodpractical steps for reducing dietary PFAS exposureQuick Wins Available
Food packaging and cookware are the two main dietary PFAS sources beyond contaminated water. The FDA completed a voluntary phase-out of PFAS grease-proofing agents in U.S. food packaging in 2025, which removes the largest category of concern for new packaging. Changes in your eating habits and food storage practices reduce exposure from remaining sources.
1
Never microwave food in fast food packaging, microwave bags, or foam containers. Transfer to glass or ceramic before heating.
This applies to microwave popcorn bags, takeout containers, deli wrappers, and any packaging not explicitly labeled microwave-safe and PFAS-free.
2
Transfer pizza to a plate rather than eating from the box. Pizza box inner liners have historically used PFAS grease-proofing paper. Minimizing contact time reduces migration.
3
Substitute stovetop popcorn for microwave popcorn. Pop in a stainless steel pot with oil. This eliminates both the PFAS-lined bag and the cooking method that accelerates migration.
4
Use glass or stainless steel food storage containers. PFAS can migrate from some plastic bags and containers into fatty foods during storage. Glass eliminates the risk entirely.
5
Choose glass-bottled oils where available. Edible oils packaged in plastic or coated paperboard containers have been found to contain PFAS from packaging migration, particularly in oils sold internationally.
6
Check whether your preferred restaurant chains have committed to PFAS-free packaging. McDonald’s, Chipotle, Wendy’s, and Whole Foods Market are among those that have made public commitments. Ask chains that have not.
Use the Food Packaging Forum’s Brand and Retailer Initiatives Database at foodpackagingforum.org/brand-retailer-initiatives to check brand status.
ForeverChemicals.info provides educational information for general consumers. Regulatory status, product certifications, and brand commitments change frequently. Verify current information directly with the EPA, your state agency, and individual product manufacturers. Last updated February 2026.