You can take steps to reduce your exposure to PFAS contaminants

Posted July 8th, 2024 in Featured, Healthy Waters
collage of PFAS sources like waterproof makeup, drinking water, fire extinguishing foam, and food packaging

PFAS are chemicals commonly found in consumer goods that are making their way into drinking water supplies where they are a risk to human health, but there are steps people can take to protect themselves.

PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of more than 15,000 man-made chemicals that are sometimes added to products to help them resist grease, oil, water, and heat. These “forever chemicals” are found in a wide array of consumer goods, including clothing, cosmetics, food packaging, carpets, cookware, and cleaning products. As a result of their widespread use, PFAS have migrated into soils, lakes, rivers, and streams across the U.S.

No level of PFAS exposure comes without risk to human health, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS break down slowly and can accumulate in aquatic plants and animals as well as people. Exposure to PFAS through the skin or digestive system has been linked to increased risk of certain cancers, kidney and heart disease, and reproductive issues like low birth weight and birth defects. This spring, EPA announced the first federal legal protections to protect public drinking water from PFAS.

Sarah Zack, pollution prevention specialist with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, works with the public to raise awareness about water contaminants, including PFAS.

“It’s not easy to reduce our risk from PFAS chemicals because they are ubiquitous in the environment,” Zack said. “But there are some simple ways to reduce your exposure and protect your health.”

  • Replace nonstick pans at the first sign of scratches, and do not heat beyond the recommended temperature, which is typically 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid using nonstick cookware altogether, if possible, and opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic.
  • Microwave popcorn bags, takeout containers, and fast-food packaging can be coated with PFAS to prevent sticking. Be a cautious consumer and do research before eating food from this packaging.
  • Avoid stain-resistant carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics. Vacuum regularly to remove PFAS that can accumulate in dusty fabrics.
  • Leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking chemicals into your home.
  • Check advisories before eating locally caught seafood.
  • Contact your public water utility about whether your drinking water has been tested for PFAS. If you are on a private well, conduct regular testing. Consider an at-home water filtration system if you are concerned about the FAS level in your water.

You can learn more by listening to a University of Illinois Extension Spotlight on Natural Resources podcast, in which Zack discusses the problem of PFAS.

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Got a research idea worth a bigger room? The 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting is accepting proposals for symposia and workshops, and we want to hear yours!

📅 Nov. 4–6 | Michigan City, IN
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Help shape what the Great Lakes research community discusses this year.

🔗 Submit at the link in bio.

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Got a research idea worth a bigger room? The 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting is accepting proposals for symposia and workshops, and we want to hear yours!📅 Nov. 4–6 | Michigan City, IN⏰ Proposals due June 1 at 1 PM ETHelp shape what the Great Lakes research community discusses this year.🔗 Submit at the link in bio.

To every educator who has brought the Great Lakes into their classroom, thank you. 🍎

Your curiosity is contagious. Your lessons last. And the students who learn to love these waters? They’ll protect them.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at IISG.

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To every educator who has brought the Great Lakes into their classroom, thank you. 🍎Your curiosity is contagious. Your lessons last. And the students who learn to love these waters? They’ll protect them.Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at IISG.

Located in Washington, D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. This is a one-year fellowship open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who is enrolled toward a degree in a graduate or professional program on the day of the deadline.

Students enrolled at an Illinois or Indiana university or college should submit their applications through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant by emailing Angela Archer at amcbride@purdue.edu. Students in surrounding states without a Sea Grant program should contact the National Sea Grant College Program at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov for a referral.

Application deadline: June 3, 2026.

To learn more about the fellowship, visit the link in bio.

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Located in Washington, D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. This is a one-year fellowship open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who is enrolled toward a degree in a graduate or professional program on the day of the deadline.Students enrolled at an Illinois or Indiana university or college should submit their applications through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant by emailing Angela Archer at amcbride@purdue.edu. Students in surrounding states without a Sea Grant program should contact the National Sea Grant College Program at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov for a referral. Application deadline: June 3, 2026.To learn more about the fellowship, visit the link in bio.