Can a medical test show whether I’ve been exposed to PFAS?

A blood test can measure PFAS in your blood, but this is not a test routinely done in a doctor's office. While it is possible to get your blood tested for PFAS, test results will only tell you how much PFAS is present in your blood and not whether your health has been, or will be, affected by PFAS. At this time, the scientific understanding of PFAS is not sufficient to determine health risks based on the level of PFAS in a person's blood. Most people in the U.S. have measurable amounts of PFAS in their body because PFAS are commonly used in many consumer and industrial products.

If you have specific health concerns or would like to have your blood tested, please talk with your doctor. Some of the health effects possibly linked to PFAS exposure, like high cholesterol, can be checked as part of your annual physical. It is important to have regular check-ups and screenings.

Additional information on blood testing can be found on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) PFAS Blood Testing page. You can also read their Talking to Your Doctor about Exposure to PFAS fact sheet. The ATSDR is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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1. What are PFAS?
2. Are PFAS regulated by the federal or state government?
3. I keep hearing different numbers referenced for Wisconsin’s PFOA and PFOS drinking water advisories. What does this mean for me, and how do I keep my family safe?
4. What are the health effects of PFAS?
5. How are we exposed to PFAS?
6. How can I reduce my exposure?
7. Should I be worried about dermal (skin) exposure to PFAS?
8. Can I use my tap water for typical household activities?
9. How can I safely feed an infant?
10. Can a medical test show whether I’ve been exposed to PFAS?
11. What is the average amount of PFAS in a person's blood?
12. Who can I contact about health questions related to PFAS?
13. Other Resources for PFAS Information