PFAS and Children: Health Risks, Drinking Water Exposure, and How Families Can Reduce It

PFAS and Children: Health Risks, Drinking Water Exposure, and How Families Can Reduce It

Posted by Michele Priest on Jun 15th 2026

What are PFAS and why are they a concern for children?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that do not break down easily and can build up in the body over time. For children, they are a concern because exposure can occur through drinking water, food, household dust, and everyday products.

At a glance - Key Takeaways for this article

PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals that can enter a child’s body through drinking water, food, and everyday products. Research from federal health agencies has linked certain PFAS exposures to developmental, immune, and hormone-related effects, making exposure awareness and reduction an important part of protecting long-term health.

Clean drinking water is something most families trust, especially when it comes to children. But growing attention is being paid to PFAS, a group of chemicals now found in water systems across the United States.

Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and the human body. Because of this, public health agencies have raised concerns about long-term exposure, particularly for children.

This article is part of Multipure’s 3-part PFAS education series. You can also read:
PFAS in Drinking Water and PFAS and Pregnancy.

 

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals used in products since the 1940s in products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS are “very persistent in the environment and in the human body,” meaning they do not break down easily and can build up over time.

They have been used in:

  • Nonstick coatings
  • Water-and stain-resistant fabrics
  • Food packaging
  • Firefighting foams
  • Industrial manufacturing

Because they do not break down easily and can build up over time, PFAS have been detected in water, soil, and air. 

 

How PFAS Affect the Human Body

Exposure to PFAS is widespread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), reports that PFAS have been found in the blood of most people living in the United States.

This reflects ongoing exposure from multiple sources, including drinking water, food, and consumer products.

 

Why PFAS Exposure Matters for Children

Children are not just smaller adults; their bodies are still developing, which can affect how environmental exposures affect them.

The EPA states that exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with developmental effects, including:

  • Low birth weight
  • Accelerated puberty
  • Bone variations
  • Behavioral changes

These findings have made early-life exposure an important area of study.

 

PFAS Health Effects on Children

Research on PFAS is ongoing, but several health concerns have been identified by federal agencies.

Immune System Effects

The EPA reports that exposure to certain PFAS may affect the immune system, including reducing the body’s antibody response to vaccines.

Because children rely on developing immune systems to respond to illness and vaccines, this remains an important area of study

Hormone and Developmental Effects

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS),
PFAS exposure has been associated with interference in the body’s natural hormones.

Hormones play a central role in growth, metabolism, and development, which is why this area continues to be closely studied.

Prenatal and Early-Life Exposure

Exposure to PFAS can begin before birth.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that some PFAS can cross the placenta during pregnancy.

PFAS have also been detected in breast milk. However, the CDC/ATSDR continues to recommend breastfeeding because of its well-established health benefits and notes that current evidence does not show a clear link between PFAS in breast milk and specific infant health problems.

 

How Children Are Exposed to PFAS

Children can come into contact with PFAS through drinking water, food packaging, household dust, and consumer products. Because these chemicals are widely used and slow to break down, exposure can occur over time from multiple everyday sources.

PFAS exposure can come from several sources, but drinking water is one of the most significant.

The EPA identifies drinking water as a major source of PFAS exposure for many people.

Additional sources may include:

  • Food packaging
  • Household dust
  • Stain-resistant fabrics
  • Nonstick coatings
  • Contaminated soil or food

  

 

EPA Drinking Water Standards for PFAS

In 2024, the EPA established the first national drinking water standards for several PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS.

These standards set enforceable limits and require public water systems to monitor PFAS levels and act when levels exceed those limits.

The limits are measured in very small concentrations (parts per trillion), reflecting how small amounts of PFAS are now understood to matter in drinking water.

 

How Families Can Reduce PFAS Exposure

While PFAS cannot be completely eliminated from the environment, there are steps families can take to reduce exposure.

Review Your Water Quality

Check your local Consumer Confidence Report or water provider data. If you use a private well, consider independent testing.

Understand Water Filtration Options

Not all water filters are designed to reduce PFAS. Look for systems that have been tested or certified to reduce specific PFAS compounds under recognized third-party standards when applicable.

Limit Additional Sources

You can also reduce exposure by:

  • Limiting use of grease-resistant food packaging
  • Avoiding unnecessary stain-resistant treatments
  • Replacing damaged nonstick-coated cookware
  • Following product safety recommendations

Staying Informed About PFAS and Your Family’s Health

Understanding PFAS exposure, especially through drinking water, is an important step in making informed decisions for your family. As research continues and regulations evolve, staying informed can help reduce exposure and support long-term health.

  

Key Takeaways

  • PFAS are chemicals that can build up in the environment and the human body.
  • PFAS have been detected in the blood of most people in the United States.
  • The EPA has identified associations between PFAS exposure and developmental and immune effects.
  • Drinking water is a major source of PFAS exposure.
  • National drinking water standards for PFAS were established in 2024.
  • Families can take steps to better understand and reduce exposure.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are PFAS?
    PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They are highly persistent and can accumulate over time.

  2. How do PFAS get into drinking water?
    PFAS can enter water sources through industrial activities, firefighting foam, landfill runoff, and environmental contamination. 

  3. Can PFAS be removed from water?
    Certain water treatment technologies can reduce PFAS levels, but effectiveness depends on the system and the specific contaminants present.

  4. Are PFAS harmful to children?
    Federal agencies, including the EPA, have identified associations between PFAS exposure and developmental and immune effects. Research is ongoing to better understand long-term impacts.

  5. Should parents stop breastfeeding due to PFAS?
    No. Health agencies continue to recommend breastfeeding because of its proven benefits. Current evidence does not show a clear link between PFAS in breast milk and specific infant health problems.

 

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