Are PFAS levels in people's blood going down or getting worse over time?

What's actually in it

PFAS are the "forever chemicals" found in nonstick pans, stain-resistant fabrics, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, and many cleaning products. Once they get into your body, they stick around for years. Your blood carries them everywhere, which is why researchers test blood to track exposure.

Some of the oldest PFAS, like PFOS and PFOA, have been phased out of many products. But companies replaced them with newer PFAS that are supposed to be safer.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Sci Technol analyzed human blood samples collected over 18 years, from 2003 to 2021. That long timeframe let researchers see real trends in how PFAS exposure has changed.

The good news: levels of older "legacy" PFAS like PFOS dropped by about half over the study period. Phase-outs and regulations did make a dent.

The bad news: newer "emerging" PFAS filled the gap. Chemicals like GenX, PFBS, and other short-chain PFAS showed up at increasing levels year after year. These replacement chemicals haven't been studied as well, but early research suggests they carry their own health risks.

The total PFAS burden in blood hasn't really gone down. It's just shifted from old chemicals to new ones. Your nonstick pan might not have PFOA anymore, but it likely contains a newer PFAS that does the same job.

Reducing exposure means looking beyond labels. Choose cast iron or stainless steel cookware, avoid stain-resistant treatments on furniture, and pick uncoated food wraps.