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. Common panels measure roughly 9 to 25 different PFAS chemicals, including:
The results are reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood serum.
| Provider | Cost | Compounds Tested | Turnaround | |----------|------|-------------------|------------| | Quest (Quest Health, direct order) | $350 + $7 physician fee | 9 PFAS (NASEM panel) | 5-7 business days | | empowerDX (at-home finger prick) | $279 | 16 PFAS | 15-30 days after the lab receives it | | LabCorp and other clinical labs | Varies; ask your clinician | Varies by panel | Varies | | University research studies | Often free | Varies | Varies |
Prices were checked on the labs' own pages in October 2026 and change often.
### 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 state health departments have offered free testing in communities near contamination sites, such as New Hampshire's program near the former Pease Air Force Base - The VA says PFAS blood testing is not currently available at VA medical centers, though it is reevaluating
### Option 1: Through Your Doctor Ask your primary care physician to order a PFAS blood panel. They can order through: - Quest Diagnostics (PFAS (Forever Chemicals) 9 Panel, test code 13761) - 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: - Quest Health – $350 plus a $7 physician service fee, blood drawn at a Quest site - empowerDX – $279 for an at-home finger-prick kit
Total of the NASEM PFAS (the main clinical guidance): The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 2022 guidance uses the sum of seven PFAS (MeFOSAA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFOS and PFNA), which is what the Quest 9 panel reports: - < 2 ng/mL – Adverse health effects not expected - 2-20 ng/mL – Potential for adverse effects, especially in sensitive groups such as pregnant people - > 20 ng/mL – Higher potential for adverse effects (clinical follow-up recommended)
Individual compounds: - Compare each result with the national averages below; a value several times higher points to an exposure source worth tracking down
### Key Context: The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017-2018) found the US population geometric mean is: - PFOS: 4.25 ng/mL - PFOA: 1.42 ng/mL - PFHxS: 1.08 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 roughly 3-5 years to decrease by half once exposure stops 4. No established "safe" threshold for blood levels
Medical Follow-Up: - Thyroid function testing (TSH) - Cholesterol screening (total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) - Assessment for signs of testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis (NASEM, above 20 ng/mL) - Cancer screening (discuss with doctor based on family history) - Kidney cancer assessment (NASEM, above 20 ng/mL)
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 (upper-end estimates from retired fluorochemical workers; community studies find somewhat shorter values): - PFOS: 5.4 years - PFOA: 3.8 years - PFHxS: 8.5 years - PFNA: 2.5-4.3 years
This means even after eliminating all PFAS exposure, it takes a decade or more for your body to clear most of these chemicals.
### Can I get a PFAS blood test without a doctor? Yes. Quest Health ($350 plus a $7 physician fee) and empowerDX ($279, at-home finger prick) sell PFAS panels without a separate doctor's visit, 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. Long-chain PFAS have half-lives of roughly 2.5-8.5 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 approved clinical treatment exists. Cholestyramine (a cholesterol drug) has shown some potential but isn't FDA-approved for PFAS removal. A 2022 randomized trial in Australian firefighters found regular plasma donation lowered PFOS by about 30% over a year (blood donation had a smaller effect), but it isn't a standard medical recommendation.
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.