PFAS in Veterans: New Study Finds Higher Levels of Forever Chemicals

A new peer reviewed study found that younger United States veterans had higher blood concentrations of several PFAS chemicals than comparable adults who had not served in the military. PFAS, often called forever chemicals, are persistent contaminants found in water, soil, air, food, and many consumer products.

Researchers analyzed nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2003 and 2018. Among adults ages 20 to 39, veterans had approximately 19% higher PFOS levels, 24% higher PFHxS levels, and 17% higher combined concentrations of seven measured PFAS. Younger veterans were also 18% more likely to have combined PFAS concentrations above 20 nanograms per milliliter. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies this level as a threshold at which additional clinical follow up may be considered. Across veterans of all ages included in the analysis, researchers estimated that 58% had combined PFAS concentrations above this threshold.

Military personnel may encounter PFAS through several sources. Firefighting foams historically used at military installations represent one well known source because they can contaminate surrounding soil and groundwater. PFAS may also appear in protective equipment, industrial materials, food, and consumer products. However, the study does not prove where each veteran’s exposure occurred. Researchers did not have detailed information about participants’ military occupations, duty stations, exposure histories, or drinking water. The findings show an association between veteran status and higher PFAS concentrations, but they do not prove that contaminated drinking water caused the difference.

This distinction matters when discussing PFAS exposure. Detecting PFAS in the blood confirms that exposure occurred, but it does not identify a single source or prove that a specific health condition will develop. PFAS exposure may come from several environmental and occupational pathways over many years. For households concerned about PFAS in drinking water, testing provides the clearest starting point. Your local utility may publish PFAS monitoring results, while private well owners may need testing through a qualified laboratory. Knowing which PFAS are present and at what concentrations helps determine whether additional treatment is appropriate.

Certain point of use water filtration technologies can reduce PFAS in drinking water. Reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and ion exchange may provide meaningful reduction when the specific system has been independently tested or certified for PFAS. Performance varies by filter design, contaminant type, water chemistry, maintenance, and cartridge replacement schedule.

At Sanavia Water, we believe PFAS education should remain clear and evidence based. This study highlights the reality of widespread PFAS exposure, especially among groups that may have faced occupational or environmental risks. It does not show that filtration can reverse past exposure or reduce PFAS already present in the body. Water filtration can only address the contaminants present in the water being treated.

Source: https://pubs.acs.org/evhpaz/article/doi/10.1021/EHP.6c00631/5429563/Serum-PFAS-Concentrations-Among-US-Veterans-NHANES