A PFAS blood test measures the concentration of forever chemicals in your bloodstream. It's the most direct way to know your personal exposure level – but it's not for everyone.
A PFAS blood test (also called a PFAS serum test) measures the concentration of specific PFAS compounds in your blood. The test typically screens for 5-30 different PFAS chemicals, including:
The results are reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood serum.
| Provider | Cost | Compounds Tested | Turnaround | |----------|------|-------------------|------------| | Quest Diagnostics | $200-$300 | 7 PFAS | 7-10 days | | LabCorp | $250-$350 | 5-7 PFAS | 10-14 days | | University research labs | Free-$100 | Varies | 4-8 weeks | | Environmental health clinics | $150-$400 | Up to 30 PFAS | 2-4 weeks |
### Insurance Coverage: - Most insurance plans do NOT cover PFAS blood testing as routine screening - May be covered if ordered by a doctor for a specific medical reason - Some states (Michigan, New Hampshire) offer free testing for residents near contamination sites - VA covers testing for veterans exposed to AFFF
### Option 1: Through Your Doctor Ask your primary care physician to order a PFAS blood panel. They can order through: - Quest Diagnostics (test code: 93912) - LabCorp (varies by state)
### Option 2: Community Health Events Check with your state environmental agency – many offer free testing near known contamination sites.
### Option 3: University Studies Research institutions sometimes recruit participants for PFAS studies, offering free testing. Check ClinicalTrials.gov.
### Option 4: Direct-to-Consumer Labs Some labs offer PFAS testing without a doctor's order: - Walk-In Lab – $249 - Any Lab Test Now – varies by location
PFOS (most common PFAS in blood): - < 2 ng/mL – Below average (good) - 2-7 ng/mL – Average US population level - 7-20 ng/mL – Elevated (above 95th percentile) - > 20 ng/mL – Significantly elevated (medical follow-up recommended)
PFOA: - < 1 ng/mL – Below average - 1-3 ng/mL – Average US population level - 3-10 ng/mL – Elevated - > 10 ng/mL – Significantly elevated
### Key Context: The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found the US population geometric mean is: - PFOS: 4.72 ng/mL - PFOA: 1.42 ng/mL - PFHxS: 1.18 ng/mL
These are declining from historical peaks as PFAS use decreases, but they remain widespread.
### Recommended For: - Residents near known PFAS contamination sources (military bases, factories) - People who've worked with PFAS-containing products (firefighters, factory workers) - Anyone with high PFAS levels in their water supply - Individuals with health conditions linked to PFAS (thyroid disease, certain cancers)
### Not Necessarily Needed For: - General population screening (CDC doesn't recommend universal testing) - Areas with no known PFAS contamination - People already taking steps to reduce exposure
### Why? Important Limitations: 1. No clinical treatment exists to remove PFAS from your body faster 2. Results cause anxiety without clear medical guidance 3. Half-life is long – PFOS takes 5+ years to decrease by half, regardless of actions 4. No established "safe" threshold for blood levels
Medical Follow-Up: - Thyroid function panel (TSH, T3, T4) - Cholesterol screening (total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) - Liver function tests (ALT, AST) - Cancer screening (discuss with doctor based on family history) - Kidney function (if very high exposure)
Exposure Reduction: - Identify and eliminate PFAS sources (water, cookware, food packaging) - Install RO water filter - Switch to PFAS-free consumer products
Legal Consultation: - If exposure is from identifiable source (military base, factory), consult an environmental attorney - Document blood test results and medical records
### If Levels Are Normal: - Continue monitoring water quality - Maintain exposure reduction practices - Retest in 2-3 years if you live in a contamination area
PFAS half-lives vary by compound: - PFOS: 5.4 years - PFOA: 3.8 years - PFHxS: 8.5 years - PFNA: 2.5 years
This means even after eliminating all PFAS exposure, it takes decades for your body to clear these chemicals.
### Can I get a PFAS blood test without a doctor? Yes. Direct-to-consumer labs like Walk-In Lab offer PFAS panels without a doctor's order, though results should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
### How do I prepare for a PFAS blood test? No special preparation is needed. No fasting is required. It's a standard blood draw that takes about 5 minutes.
### Will my PFAS levels go down after I stop the exposure? Yes, but slowly. PFAS has a half-life of 3-8+ years in the body. You'll see gradual decreases over years, not weeks.
### Should I get my children tested for PFAS? Discuss with your pediatrician. Testing may be appropriate if you live near a contamination source. However, the stress of testing should be weighed against the limited medical interventions available for children.
### Is there a way to speed up PFAS elimination from my body? No proven clinical method exists. Cholestyramine (a cholesterol drug) has shown some potential but isn't FDA-approved for PFAS removal. Blood or plasma donation may theoretically reduce levels slightly, but this isn't a recommended approach.
You can Check your water quality by zip code to see if your area is affected. If you're looking for solutions, Find water filters that remove PFAS certified for removal. For more details on what's in your tap water, Get a detailed water quality report for your area.
Check your water now. Enter your zip code at KnowYourExposure.com to see what contaminants have been detected in your local water supply – including PFAS, lead, and other regulated compounds.