Most drinking water contamination happens near factories that used PFAS in manufacturing or military bases, refineries or other places where firefighting foam was used.
The Environmental Working Group found that the drinking water of 16 million Americans in 33 states is contaminated with at least one PFAS. But the group based those numbers on tests at just 5,000 water utilities. Based on other data the group has examined, it estimates the total number of people affected could be as high as 110 million.

States, Communities and Individuals Have Filed Lawsuits over Contamination
States and cities have filed lawsuits against manufacturers or companies that used PFAS.
The state of Minnesota reached an $850 million settlement with 3M in 2018 as a result of the company having legally dumped PFAS in landfills near suburbs east of Minneapolis and St. Paul until the 1970s. At the time of the settlement, 3M faced at least 24 other lawsuits over PFAS contamination.
In 2017, DuPont and Chemours Co. paid $671 million to settle 3,550 personal injury claims over PFAS pollution. People had sued after PFAS from a Teflon plant in Parkersburg, West Virginia, polluted drinking water supplies.
In June 2023, 3M agreed to pay at least $10.3 billion and up to $12.5 billion to settle lawsuits for contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with PFAS used in many consumer products and firefighting foam. Also in the same month, DuPont de Nemours Inc., The Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. agreed to a $1.18 billion settlement fund to compensate water providers in various states for PFAS contamination.
Consumer Products Containing PFAS
Their nonstick and water-resistant properties have made PFAS a go-to choice for products from food wrappers to firefighting foam. They are found in or used to make countless consumer goods that require durability and resistance to oil and water.
Everyday Items Often Made With or Containing PFAS- Camping tents
- Certain types of dental floss
- Nonstick pans and utensils
- Pizza boxes
- Popcorn bags
- Sandwich wrappers
- Shoes and other leather products
- Some cosmetics
- Stain treatments for furniture and carpet
- Water and stain resistant clothing

Does Teflon Contain PFAS?
Teflon is the registered trademark and brand name of DuPont’s nonstick material commonly found in cookware. It is sometimes associated with worries about PFAS.
Teflon and other nonstick cookware is “not a significant source” of PFAS exposure, according to the American Cancer Society. The society also says Teflon is not suspected of causing cancer and that there are no known health risks of using Teflon-coated cookware.
Teflon’s chemical name is polytetrafluorethylene, or PTFE. It is not a PFAS.
But a PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid was used to make Teflon until DuPont switched to another chemical in 2013. The PFAS burned off during the manufacturing process but may have left small traces behind.
Some environmental groups or regulators recommend tossing out nonstick pans made before 2013 or avoiding them all together.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
The most serious exposure may come from contaminated drinking water. You can check an interactive map from Northeastern University and the Environmental Working Group to see if water systems in your community have shown contamination.
You can also limit your exposure to everyday items that may contain or be made with PFAS by choosing alternatives whenever possible.
How to Limit Your PFAS Exposure- Avoid processed and fast foods which may be packaged in PFAS wrappers.
- Be wary of stain-repellant clothes and treatment for furniture.
- Check labels on personal care products. Avoid those with “PTFE” or “Fluoro” ingredients.
- Skip microwave popcorn that can have PFAS packaging.
- Substitute stainless steel or cast-iron pans for nonstick cookware.
Blood tests can determine if you have been exposed to PFAS, but they cannot show if your medical condition is related to PFAS exposure. Tests also cannot predict if you will develop any health condition because you were exposed.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a fact sheet to help you talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your PFAS exposure.