When Should You Be Concerned About PFAS in Your Home
Posted in Air Quality, on May 06, 2025
There are many chemical substances that come into our homes, and most of them affect our indoor air quality in one way or another. When these chemicals make the news or new research suggests a link to common health conditions, the SafeAir team often fields calls from concerned families wondering if these substances appear during air quality testing in Toronto. One such substance is PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which can be widely found in homes on clothing, objects, or appliances. How might PFAS affect your indoor air quality? We’ll share some of what our team understands in this article.
What are PFAS?
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are chemicals added to many consumer goods. It is used as a surfactant, lubricant, and dirt, water, and grease repellent, among other things. PFAS is a human-made material that is not naturally found in the environment.
Common Sources of PFAS in Homes
PFAS can be found all over the home. One of the areas in which they’ve gotten a lot of media attention is water bottles, baby food containers, and waterproof rain or camping gear. You can also find PFAS in:
- Food packaging.
- Non-stick cookware.
- Cleaning products.
- Construction materials.
- Stain-resistant carpets.
Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure
PFAS are so widely used that we have all been exposed to them. However, medical researchers are starting to make disturbing links between exposure and serious health risks, leading many manufacturers to eliminate them from their products.
Some of the conditions that chronic PFAS exposure has been linked to include:
- Cancers that affect the urinary tract, brain, and thyroid.
- Hormonal disruption or reproductive issues.
- Liver or kidney damage.
- Immune and metabolism issues.
When To Be Concerned About PFAS in Your Home
Exposure to PFAS likely occurs through contact, air, water, or particulate matter (dust). People who may have a higher risk of exposure to PFAS include those:
- Living near industrial sites, airports, or military bases.
- Who have older materials or products known to contain PFAS.
- Who use untested well-water.
- With unexplained health symptoms.
The Importance of Professional Testing
At SafeAir, we are closely following emerging research on PFAS and how they can be accurately detected during air quality testing. The best technique currently available is called thermal desorption, which involves having a collected air sample analysed at a highly specialized facility. SafeAir is committed to working closely with our clients to test for specific substances like PFAS and the myriad other indoor air quality pollutants that affect our indoor air quality. Professional air quality testing will look at multiple risk factors in your home and can help rule out allergens, mold, and other air or surface substances that cause illness and
Reducing Exposure to PFAS
There are several ways you can reduce your exposure to PFAS in the home. Start by replacing products that contain PFAS and opting for natural or PFAS-free products instead. Regular cleaning and dusting will greatly reduce PFAS that enter the house and collect on surfaces like carpets and flooring.
While we often recommend HEPA air filters, they are generally not enough to trap and reduce PFAS compounds. However, researchers like Andrea Ferro of Clarkson University have discovered that activated carbon filters will — so ensure you’re using the right filtration system if reducing PFAS is a priority.
And if you don’t know what might have PFAS or what air filter to get? Let the SafeAir team help you figure it all out! Through air quality testing in Toronto, our team can help you breathe easier, literally and figuratively. Contact us to learn more about indoor air quality, filtration, and environmental PFAS today.