Resources for Common Questions related to PFAS Contamination and Exposure

 

I live on a private well and my water has not been tested, who should I call?

• If you get your water from a private household well and are within the PFC area of investigation please call 719-578-3131 for information about how to get a well water test.

 

I live on a private well and my water is contaminated. What kind of filter should I install?

• The two types of household filters that are effective at removing PFASs are granulated activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis filters. The links below provide more detailed information:

  • https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-dwmad-eh-swpu-FilterFactSheet_610096_7.pdf

  • https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/investigations/hoosick/docs/hoosick_pou_final.pdf

  • http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/waterquality/poudevicefinal.pdf

 

I have high levels of PFASs in my blood and am concerned about how this may affect my health. My doctor doesn’t know much about PFAS exposure and health. What information should I give him/her?

• A guide for talking to your doctor about exposure to PFAS: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfc/docs/Talking_to_Doctor.pdf

 

I wasn’t able to participate in the PFAS-AWARE study but would like to get my blood tested for PFASs, who should I call?

• The following link provides information on blood testing from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment: https://environmentalrecords.colorado.gov/HPRMWebDrawer/Record/1215460/File/Document

 

Labs that perform PFAS blood testing:

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Information on the type of tube, details about handling, cost and specific analysis request codes should be directed to the laboratories.

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For more information on Perfluoroalkyl Substances:

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• https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfc/docs/pfas_clinician_fact_sheet_508.pdf

• https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/pfcs

• http://securitywsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Security-fact-sheet-updated-2_11_16.pdf

• http://www.c8sciencepanel.org/index.html

• http://www.pfashealth.info/index.html

• https://www.epa.gov/pfas

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For more information about blood biomarker levels:

 

Basics of Interleukins: https://www.britannica.com/science/interleukin

 

Tumor Necrosis Factor: https://www.hss.edu/professional-conditions_the-history-basic-science-biology-tnf.asp

 

Chronic Inflammation:

• http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2009/11/02/chronic-inflammation-reduce-it-to-protect-your-health

• https://www.johnshopkinshealthreview.com/issues/spring-summer-2016/articles/understanding-inflammation

 

Liver Enzymes:

• https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/diagnosing-liver-disease/#1503683241165-6d0a5a72-83a9

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/elevated-liver-enzymes/basics/definition/sym-20050830

• https://www.mdedge.com/ccjm/article/95275/gastroenterology/when-and-how-evaluate-mildly-elevated-liver-enzymes-apparently

Cholesterol:

• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/wyntk.pdf

• http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/Cholesterol_UCM_001089_SubHomePage.jsp

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