PFAS: What You Need to Know
PFAS are potentially harmful chemicals that can be found in common, everyday products and most drinking water. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down over time, and health leaders across the country are concerned about the negative effects of long-term exposure.
Researchers at URMC study the impacts PFAS have on our health. Scientists Martha Susiarjo, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Medicine, and Jing (Jason) Wu, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine and Pharmacology/Physiology share what they know about the chemicals and how they impact our lives.
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in many kinds of industrial and consumer products for decades. They are made of carbon and fluorine molecules that are attached together.
The strong bond makes other chemicals unable to break them apart, so they slip off; that’s why PFAS are used for their ability to repel water, oil, and stains, making them popular in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. However, the chemical bond is so strong that products containing PFAS don’t decay in nature.
Why should I care about PFAS?
Scientists know PFAS are problematic because they don't breakdown and create health issues. Researchers at URMC including Marissa Sobolewski, PhD, assistant professor of Environmental Medicine, Paige Lawrence, PhD, professor and chair of Environmental Medicine and Ania Majewska, PhD, professor of neuroscience, among others, are working to identify problematic PFAS and the impacts that time windows of exposure can have on human health.
PFAS can accumulate in the food chain. The main way people are exposed is through contaminated food and water.
In fact, one survey found that PFAS are detected in the blood of 98 percent of Americans.
Studies have linked higher levels of PFAS exposure to a range of health problems, including:
- Cancer
- Liver and kidney damage
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Obesity and diabetes
- Immune system dysfunction in adults
- Gestational hypertension and diabetes in pregnant women
Babies in the womb and infants are also vulnerable, as PFAS can get into the placenta and be present in breast milk. Baby and infant exposures can lead to developmental dysfunction and increase disease risk later in life.
New Research
In 2025, URMC researchers found that prenatal PFAS exposure was linked to changes in specific immune cells that help babies fight infections and respond to vaccines. By 12 months old, infants with higher prenatal PFAS exposure had fewer “helper” T cells that coach the immune system to make strong antibodies, and more immune cells associated with allergies or autoimmune issues.
This helps explain why higher PFAS levels have been linked to weaker vaccine responses in children, and raises concerns about future risks for conditions like asthma, juvenile arthritis, or type 1 diabetes.
How can I avoid PFAS?
There are several actions you can take to minimize your exposure to PFAS:
- Check if you live in regions known to be contaminated by PFAS, and if possible, avoid living in those areas. The EPA PFAS Analytic Tool is a good source.
- Consider using PFAS water filters that are compatible with your Brita pitchers, refrigerator, or whole house filter systems.
- Replace non-stick cookware that is scratched or worn. Teflon coated cookware can release six different volatile gases when heated to temperatures that can be reached within two to five minutes. Consider using stainless steel or cast-iron cookware as a safer alternative.
What kind of research is URMC conducting on PFAS?
University of Rochester researchers are leading national efforts to understand PFAS and develop ways to protect public health. Current projects include:
Tracking how PFAS exposure affects infant immune development
Studying the neurological effects of short-chain PFAS like PFHxA
Creating laser-made nanomaterials that can remove PFAS from water supplies
By combining science, public health research, and environmental engineering, URMC is working to reduce the harmful impacts of these chemicals for generations to come.
URMC Research on PFAS
Our researchers are dedicated to studying the effects of environmental factors on reproductive and pregnancy health, immune system development, metabolism, blood pressure, and kidney function. These combined efforts aim to not only provide new insights into the health impacts of PFAS, but also to develop methods for reducing the harmful effects of chemicals on the environment.
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