Per– and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals that are sometimes referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t easily break down in the environment. PFAS have been widely used in consumer products and industrial applications since the 1950s because of their useful physical and chemical properties, especially stain, heat, oil, grease and water resistance. Unfortunately, some of these chemicals have since been linked to adverse health effects.

Some key things to know include:

There are many sources of PFAS. Because they are resistant to break down, they tend to cycle through the environment [See graphic below.]
Consumer products and food packaging account for a large percentage of our exposure. [See graphic below.]
It is estimated by the USEPA that about 20% of our exposure to PFAS comes from drinking water.
The USEPA has set drinking water standards for 5 PFAS.
PFAS can accumulate in people, wildlife and fish.

How are we exposed to PFAS?

Most people are exposed to PFAS from items they contact every day. PFAS are found at some level in most sources of drinking water and are used in a wide variety of consumer products. They are also present in some foods and packaging, fabrics treated with stain repellents, and even household dust.

*This graphic depicts the amount of PFAS sources in the average home. EPA estimates that 80% of our exposure comes from sources other than drinking water.

Health Effects Associated with PFAS

Exposures to some PFAS are linked to increased risk of kidney, liver, and cardiovascular disease and effects to newborns, including low birth weight and immune system suppression. One PFAS, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), is linked to increased risk of developing kidney and testicular of cancer by the USEPA.

Some PFAS accumulate in our bodies and remain in our bodies for several years. The production and use of these PFAS have been mostly discontinued in the US, but we continue to detect them in biological and environmental samples worldwide.

Our knowledge and understanding related to health effects as well as ways to minimize exposure has grown significantly and will continue to progress. These pages will be updated as new information becomes available.

How do PFAS get into the environment?

PFAS are man-made and can be found worldwide. Higher concentrations are seen in areas where they were manufactured, used in industrial applications or for firefighting, and in some commercial and consumer products. PFAS enter water supplies from industrial sources and wastewater discharges. Since PFAS don’t easily break down, they cycle throughout the environment.

This infographic illustrates sources of PFAS in the environment. It includes labeled areas like firefighting, industrial sites, consumer goods, domestic sources, wastewater, biosolids, landfill leachate, domestic waste, agriculture, wastewater treatment plants, groundwater, drinking water, and a drinking water well. An airplane sprays chemicals depicting firefighting, and various structures such as factories, homes, and farms represent different PFAS sources.

*This graphic depicts the sources of PFAS in the environment. 

What is SCDES doing about PFAS?

SCDES regulates PFAS in drinking water, and is implementing strategies for assessing PFAS in the State’s waters:

Community Drinking Water Assessment - Focuses on community, or public, water systems
Ambient Surface Water Assessment - Focuses on lakes, rivers and streams and fish tissue
Private Drinking Water Assessment - Focuses on private (individual) residential wells

If you have a private drinking water well, you can apply to have your well tested for PFAS free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

PFAS and Water

Ambient Water

National Drinking Water Standards

On May 18, 2026 the EPA announced its path forward for PFAS regulation.

On May 14, 2025, the EPA announced its intent to revise the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Rule. SCDES is closely monitoring this process and will continue to keep our stakeholders informed of the latest developments.

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced a final rule for maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water for five individual PFAS compounds — PFOS and PFOA at 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt), and PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX at 10 ppt — as well as a Hazard Index formula for a mixture of four PFAS compounds: PFHxS, PFBS, PFNA, and GenX. This final rule is the next step in establishing enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS contaminants in the United States. Drinking water utilities have three years to begin monitoring for these PFAS and another two years to provide treatment to reduce concentrations below MCL levels, if needed.

How are we exposed to PFAS?

Health Effects Associated with PFAS

How do PFAS get into the environment?

What is SCDES doing about PFAS?

National Drinking Water Standards

Data

Education/Outreach Materials

Additional Resources