Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Watch our video to learn how to reduce your exposure to PFAS.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) are a large group of manufactured “forever chemicals” — they never disappear from the environment. Some of them also build up in people, wildlife, and the environment (known as bioaccumulation).

PFAS can be found in a wide variety of personal, consumer, and industrial products such as:

Nonstick cookware.
Waterproof clothing.
Furniture.
AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam), a common type of firefighting foam, largely responsible for PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

While some manufacturers have moved away from PFAS, the alternatives are not always safer.

We work with the Department of Health, industry and environmental stakeholders, and community organizations to identify and take actions to phase out the use, release, and exposure to PFAS in Washington. To guide this work, we collaborate with the Department of Health to:

Develop a chemical action plan, which recommends actions to address PFAS.
Implement product laws that reduce the use of PFAS.

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How does PFAS get into the environment?

PFAS are water soluble and highly mobile. They can easily contaminate groundwater and be hard to filter out. Since these substances don’t break down naturally, our exposure to PFAS could continue for hundreds or thousands of years.

PFAS are “forever chemicals” that contaminate drinking water and are found in the blood of nearly every American.

43 states have PFAS-contaminated drinking water, affecting more than 19 million people.
PFAS in firefighting foam (also known as AFFF) are a key suspected source of PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Washington.
Almost 100% of Americans have some type of PFAS in their blood.

In Washington, even though PFAS compounds are not manufactured here, they are released into the environment through consumer and industrial products.

PFAS contamination has been found in drinking water wells above EPA's health advisory levels in:

Airway Heights.
North Whidbey Island.
Issaquah.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).
Vancouver.
Yakima Training Center.
Fairchild Airforce Base.
Bangor Naval Base.

What products may contain PFAS?

PFAS are used because they are oil- and water-resistant. These properties make them appealing to manufacturers because of their wide application and uses. Some manufacturers have moved away from PFAS but the alternatives are not always safer.

Typical consumer products that can contain PFAS chemicals, such as carpets, non-stick cookware, and waterproof apparel.

The following are examples of the wide variety of products that may contain PFAS, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Stain- and water-resistant textiles:
- Outdoor and upholstered furniture.
- Mattresses.
- Carpets.
Waterproof clothes and gear:
- Raincoats and jackets.
- Hiking boots and backpacks.
Nonstick cookware
Food packaging with grease and waterproof coatings, such as:
- Popcorn bags.
- Fast food wrappers.
- Takeout containers.
Cosmetics.
Food processing equipment (such as tubing in ice cream and soda dispensers).
Paints and sealers that promote a smooth finish.
Floor, automobile, and ski waxes and polishes.
Firefighting foam (otherwise known as AFFF) used to fight fuel-based fires.

Frequently asked questions

2024

Winter or Spring 2024: Finalize the AFFF draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).
Spring or Summer 2024: Launch the AFFF collection and disposal program.
May 1, 2024: Second round of food packaging that contain PFAS are banned under RCW 70A.222.070.

2023

Dec. 2023: AFFF draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) went out for public comment.
Sept. 2023: Changes in federal rules triggered provisions in state law mandating Washington’s commercial airports purchase approved fluorine-free foams and phase out the sale of AFFF to Washington airports by manufacturers.
May 31, 2023: Chapter 173-337 WAC – Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting is adopted, which requires manufacturers of consumer products to restrict or report PFAS in aftermarket stain- and water-resistance treatments, carpets and rugs, and leather and textile furnishings.
Feb. 1, 2023: First round of food packaging that contain PFAS are banned under RCW 70A.222.070.

2021

Issued the Final PFAS Chemical Action Plan recommendations. The plan incorporates feedback from stakeholders and the public, and will guide future actions to address PFAS in Washington.

2020

Issued PFAS Draft Chemical Action Plan recommendations. The plan incorporates new information related to PFAS activities in Washington and recommends actions to reduce the impacts of PFAS in our state.

2019

Issued preliminary PFAS Chemical Action Plan recommendations.

2018

In partnership with the Department of Health, published the Interim PFAS Chemical Action Plan. The plan included protective actions from two new laws related to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam and an analysis of food packaging:
RCW 70A.400 concerns toxics in firefighting, specifically PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam and firefighting personal protective equipment.
RCW 70A.222 concerns PFAS in food packaging,

2017

Updated the Children’s Safe Products Reporting Rule adding PFOA to the list of chemicals of high concern to children. When originally adopted in 2011, the list of chemicals of high concern to children included PFOS.

2016

Conducted a follow-up study on PFAS in rivers and lakes.

2008

Conducted a study to assess PFAS in rivers and lakes in Washington.

2006

Adopted Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxics Rule listing PFOS and its salts as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals.

Most PFAS research has been done on two specific compounds: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and a related compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The toxicity of other PFAS compounds varies. Studies in animals show that exposure to some PFAS can affect liver function, reproductive hormones, development of offspring, and mortality.

Although nearly all of us are exposed to PFAS, their toxicity in humans is not completely understood. Experts investigating the effects on people have found probable links to immune system toxicity, high cholesterol, reproductive and developmental issues, endocrine system disruption, ulcerative colitis, thyroid issues, certain cancers, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

To learn more about PFAS, visit these resources:

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We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Chemical Action Plans Team
ChemActionPlans@ecy.wa.gov