PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, appear in thousands of consumer and industrial products. These “forever chemicals” resist water, oil, and heat, which makes them useful in manufacturing but harmful to health and the environment. They persist for decades, accumulate in living organisms, and travel widely in air and water.
Understanding where PFAS hide and taking steps to avoid them reduces exposure at home, in the workplace, and in the wider environment. This guide moves through daily life—from the kitchen to the outdoors—detailing practical actions to limit contact.
1. Kitchen – Reducing PFAS at the Source of Food Preparation
Non-stick cookware
PTFE-coated pans, baking trays, and waffle makers often contain PFAS. At high temperatures or when damaged, these coatings can degrade and release harmful substances.
Avoidance measures:
- Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware.
- Keep any remaining non-stick items at low to medium heat and replace when scratched or peeling.
Food packaging
Grease-proof wrappers, fast-food boxes, pizza packaging, and microwave popcorn bags frequently rely on PFAS coatings to resist oil.
Avoidance measures:
- Transfer takeaway food into your own containers as soon as possible.
- Choose unpackaged or minimally packaged foods.
- Support retailers that offer PFAS-free packaging.
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Baking materials
Some parchment papers contain PFAS to prevent sticking.
Avoidance measures:
- Use unbleached, compostable parchment paper labelled PFAS-free.
- Consider reusable silicone baking mats.
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Small kitchen appliances
Air fryers, rice cookers, sandwich presses, and other appliances may use PFAS-based non-stick coatings.
Avoidance measures:
- Choose models with stainless steel or ceramic interiors.
- Review manufacturer specifications before purchase.
2. Bathroom and Personal Care – Checking Ingredients and Claims
PFAS appear in cosmetics to improve smoothness, spreadability, and resistance to water or smudging.
High-risk products:
- Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners
- Long-wear foundations
- Lipsticks labelled “all-day” or “transfer-proof”
- Certain lotions and shaving creams
Avoidance measures:
- Read ingredient lists; avoid PTFE, “perfluoro-” or “polyfluoro-” compounds.
- Select brands with verified PFAS-free policies.
- Recognise that “natural” or “clean” labelling does not guarantee PFAS-free.
Dental products
Some glide-type dental floss uses PFAS coatings for friction-free movement.
Avoidance measures:
- Select natural silk or nylon floss without chemical coatings.
3. Laundry and Clothing – Understanding Performance Finishes
PFAS-based treatments make fabrics water-repellent or stain-resistant. They appear in rainwear, outdoor gear, school uniforms, workwear, and even some activewear.
Avoidance measures:
- Choose untreated fabrics or those with alternative finishes such as polyurethane coatings or waxed cotton.
- Check labels for PFAS-free claims.
- Wash less frequently and with gentle detergents to reduce fibre shedding.
4. Furniture and Carpets – Avoiding Indoor PFAS Dust
PFAS-treated furniture and floor coverings shed particles into household dust, which can be inhaled or ingested.
Avoidance measures:
- Skip stain-resistant treatments on new purchases.
- Select wool, cotton, or untreated synthetic fabrics.
- Vacuum regularly using a HEPA filter to capture fine particles.
5. Cleaning Products – Rethinking Shine and Durability
Some floor waxes, polishes, and stone sealants rely on PFAS for durability and water resistance.
Avoidance measures:
- Use plant-based cleaning agents or natural waxes.
- Review product safety data sheets for PFAS keywords before purchase.
6. Drinking Water – Eliminating the Invisible Route
PFAS contamination of drinking water occurs through industrial discharges, firefighting foam runoff, and landfill leachate.
Avoidance measures:
- Review local water quality reports for PFAS testing results.
- Install a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration system certified for PFAS removal.
- Replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.
7. Workplace – Addressing Occupational Exposure
Some professions face significantly higher PFAS contact due to materials and processes used on site.
Firefighting
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contains PFAS and contaminates air, soil, and water during use and training.
Avoidance measures:
- Transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams.
- Reduce live-foam training to essential scenarios.
Manufacturing and laboratories
Electronics, textile coating, plating, plastics, and certain chemical processes use PFAS.
Avoidance measures:
- Request safer chemical substitutes where possible.
- Use personal protective equipment, including gloves and masks.
- Wash hands before eating and avoid food in contaminated zones.
- Change work clothing before leaving the workplace.
Construction and maintenance
Sealants, adhesives, paints, and protective clothing may include PFAS.
Avoidance measures:
- Select PFAS-free products where available.
- Avoid spraying or sanding PFAS-containing materials without effective ventilation and PPE.
8. Outdoor Activities – Choosing PFAS-Free Performance Gear
Outdoor equipment often uses PFAS-based durable water repellents (DWR) to provide waterproofing. While effective, these treatments release PFAS into waterways and soil.
Avoidance measures:
- Buy PFAS-free DWR gear from brands committed to safer alternatives.
- Re-treat gear with PFAS-free waterproofing sprays.
- Use polyurethane-coated or untreated tents and tarps.
- Check local advisories before consuming fish from potentially contaminated waters.
9. Strategies for Reducing PFAS in Daily Life
Apply a precautionary approach
Treat any water-, stain-, or grease-resistant claim with suspicion unless the product is certified PFAS-free.
Simplify material choices
Opt for stainless steel, glass, untreated cotton, wool, and other materials that achieve performance without chemical coatings.
Influence supply chains
Ask retailers and manufacturers to confirm PFAS-free status and support companies that provide transparency.
Advocate for policy change
Support bans and phase-outs of PFAS in non-essential applications.
Promote awareness
Share information with family, colleagues, and community groups to increase public demand for safer alternatives.
10. PFAS Red-Flag Checklist
If a product claims any of the following, investigate further before purchase:
- Non-stick
- Stain-resistant
- Water-repellent or waterproof
- Grease-proof
- Long-wear or smudge-proof (cosmetics)
If the manufacturer cannot confirm “PFAS-free” status, assume the product contains them.
From Kitchen to Outdoors – A Continuous Approach
PFAS contamination connects the frying pan in the kitchen to the raincoat on a hiking trail. These chemicals travel from treated products into household dust, food, and water. Reducing exposure requires consistent action:
- Choose PFAS-free cookware, packaging, clothing, and cleaning agents.
- Replace contaminated water sources with filtered options.
- Select outdoor gear with alternative waterproofing technologies.
Reducing PFAS is not about eliminating every molecule; complete avoidance is currently impossible. The goal is to control exposure where it can be influenced, replacing high-risk items with safer alternatives and encouraging industry and policy shifts.
Each decision—whether selecting a ceramic pan, refusing stain-resistant treatment, or choosing PFAS-free firefighting foam—contributes to a larger reduction in demand and environmental release. Over time, consistent consumer and workplace choices create pressure for systemic change.
PFAS are persistent, but so is informed action. In the kitchen, the workplace, and the open air, deliberate product choices protect both personal health and the wider environment.